Forsaken Path!

A pathway that is forsaken is one that is left untended. It is a way that having fallen into disuse begins to become overgrown first by weeds and grass and then by small bushes and eventually even trees. It has amazed me to see where even a main road had at one time been, that after being abandoned and replaced by a road -- either alongside it or somewhere else -- had become impassable because of everything that had grown through it and over it as the years passed by. The longer a path is forsaken the more impassable it becomes.

Perhaps we generally think of forsaking things as not a good thing. However, when the pathway is not right, it needs to be forsaken. When that becomes the unbeaten path, the overgrowth becomes a blessing.

In Isaiah we read. . .
"(6) Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; (7) LET THE WICKED FORSAKE HIS WAY, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." ( Isaiah 55:6-7 ESV)

While some "forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness" ( Proverbs 2:13 ESV) or are guilty of having "forsaken the right way" ( 2 Peter 2:15), it is the pathway of the wicked that is to be forsaken. The "course of this world" in which we once walked is a pathway of death. ( Ephesians 2:1-2) It is not a pathway to which to return. The longer that pathway remains in disuse the more impassable it will become for us. The longer we refrain from traveling that way the less distinguishable it will be. It is the pathway of righteousness which needs to become the more beaten path for our feet. Hopefully by us continuing to walk in it, it will appear more appealing to others.

Continuing in Isaiah we read the following contrasting focus:

"(8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY WAYS HIGHER THAN YOUR WAYS AND MY THOUGHTS THAN YOUR THOUGHTS." ( Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)

Since God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, they will lead us to higher and holier ground. May we leave the old paths untended as we pursue the course God has laid before us.

Have a great day LEAVING OLD PATHS BEHIND TO WALK ON WITH THE LORD!
Carl

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