onwards & upwards
OT:
in proverbs, it says "Q: why is the path of the righteous an uphill struggle?" A: "to stop them from going down to death." (15:24)
there are some times when explanations "why" doesnt help. These are times when the question is less "why" and more "how" (see Ecclesiastes 7:10-7:12)
And at those times, when it's not "why" but "how", faith is required.
I cant give example every1 can relate to. But i'm sure "we have all been there", in one way or another.
Its just the way it is. If it coud be different, it would be.
NT:
But Jesus goes with us. Ahead of us.
Crucial difference.
It's still upward. But we want to go. He is with us. Climbing with him better than downhill coast without him.
I drafted the above early in November. The verse selection should have been Philippians 3:13-3:16 (not v13-14)
After being without use of my smartphone for a few weeks, i got a replacement mobile today on insurance, and after performing the minimum setup config necessary to get it up & running, i turned at once to my favorite App (this one, Bible App) and today's VOTD (20121215) ties in with the above, it is 1John2:24-2:25
I am also reminded of the incident in the Gospel, when Jesus was deserted by some early followers early in his ministry, he asked The Chosen 12 Disciples if they wanted to desert him too. Peter replied "where would we go to? you alone have the words of life" and that shows how there is no way back, in fact who wants one? even thinking about deserting is so unthinkable.
See also Proverbs 2:9 (read all Proverbs chapter 2 for more detail).
Well, Jesus is the "Personification of Wisdom" who was there when everything was created (and sang for joy then).
Imagine him singing the "Song of Ascents" Psalms (psalm 120-134) as Jesus made the trek onwards towards Jerusalem, uphill, on towards the Pesach festival, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, then eventually the Ascension. (He went down into Sheol, to raid it of captives, he did not belong there, it could not hold him, and he went there on our behalf so that we would not have to).
if you have time its interesting to do a search of "path of the righteous" (to get more results),
But the point of this note is,: we often expect the answere to be a thing. But it is not, more often "the answer" is Jesus himself. In him are found many answers for many people. And much more besides. When we look to him for the answer, we find so much more than we imagined was out there. In him is found the fullness of all the riches of wisdom & goodness... so, praise him indeed.
Created 6 months ago
