[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Stay in the straight and narrow way

Read: Mathew 7:13-14 

Advertisement

Meditation verse: 

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).

I got into a traffic jam, whilst returning from work a few days ago. The gridlock  was so bad that we remained on the same spot for a while. And then several  cars began to take a diversion to drive on the lane meant for those coming from  the opposite direction, because it was clear and free of cars. For a while, they  sped by, whilst those of us who remained on the right lane appeared foolish. 

Suddenly, our lane opened as if there was no gridlock in the first place. As I drove  by, I observed that those who took the wrong lane had gotten stuck in an even  worse gridlock, because they had come face to face with those coming from the  opposite direction. And there seemed no way out of the jam. As I pondered on  this incident a short while later, I was reminded of the scripture thatsays, “there  is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death”.  

We are living in extremely difficult times. Economic downturns and rising costs  of living have led to all kinds of corruption and evil. The temptation to take the  short cut is high. Evil seems to be thriving on all sides. Mathew 7:13 also warns,  “enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads  to destruction, and there are many who go in by it”. It was tough to watch those  cars drive past us. I also had no way of knowing they would get stuck ahead, but  I was determined not to join them to take the wrong lane. 

What about you? Sooner or later, you may find yourself in an extremely  challenging situation. The question is “how would you respond”? Will succumb  to the temptation to cut corners or will you stay on the straight and narrow lane,  even if you are the only one standing there? “Narrow is the gate and difficult is  the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Mathew 7:14). May  God’s grace be sufficient for you to remain on the right lane. “The end of thing  is better than its beginning. The patient is spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8).

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

or call +2348155525555

For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.