Crooked Paths of Righteousness

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE, GOD'S WORD

We walk by faith as the Lord leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. We do not know where the next turn will take us. The path is a straight path concerning righteousness, but some physical paths take us through unknown areas. We cannot see what is around the bend and would avoid the next mile if we could see ahead. We may even think we are sometimes on the wrong path.

We dare not turn around but continue on believing that our heavenly Father has promised to always be with us. We often are taken through the same obstacles we have experienced before. It seems I am going backward to a few months ago after Jerry’s death

I experienced the sun through my darkness for many months but the clouds have returned and are seemingly lingering ~ the spirit of oppression trying to close in.

I have prayed not just for myself but for everyone I know so as to take my mind off myself. In questioning why we must return to the desolate places, I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God”

“as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” vs.7

Jesus suffered that we might be partakers of His suffering and His consolation.

These times of need bring the comfort of the promises of His Word and His Spirit.

Many such promises I continue to claim and share here of His divine power in and through us.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Our thoughts take us through Phil.4:6 to 4:8

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Phil. 3:6-8

 “But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Cor. 2:;16

In any spiritual battle, there will be conflict between the Spirit and the flesh (Gal. 5:17)

This is why study, memorization, and meditation on God’s Word are essential to everyday living.

” And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor.12:9-10

His grace is revealed in power through His Word by His Spirit within our minds and hearts.

“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

“Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
24 You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory. Ps. 73:23-24

“The Lord is your keeper. The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The Lord will preserve you from all evil.
He will preserve your soul.
The Lord will preserve your going out and your coming in 
from this time forth and even forevermore. Amen.” Ps. 121

I could go on, but these are some that speak to me and keep me close to my Keeper. If you are in need of His presence, I pray these will comfort your heart.

Gracious Father, thank you for keeping me in your Word by the power of your Holy Spirit. Enable me to comfort and encourage those who may be in the same trials I am going through again. Fill us with the faith that is ours in Christ to encourage and pray for one another. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

14 thoughts on “Crooked Paths of Righteousness”

  2. Hi Fran, I feel the oppression also at times and I hear it from others. Oppression that is much greater than mine and I lift them up in prayer, including you, because I can understand some of the depth to which it can go. I liken it to some of the long tours I used to be on in the military, where I was separated from my wife and family by thousands of miles. I knew they were there at home but I longed to see them and be with them. Those separations were hard, very hard, but always there was the anticipation of it ending and the joy of being with them again. Only the duration of this separation is unknown and that is even harder. And yet, after crying out to the Lord for the longing that I feel, He graciously responds when the well within almost seems dry and fills that well with enough to carry me through yet again. Little reminders of His Word, remembrances of His faithfulness and love in the past and the fellowship of the body of Christ that lifts me up. I had one of those lifting days of refreshing a few days ago and I was so thankful. The space between those days of refreshing can be many and it is sometimes difficult. But God is gracious and is deepening our wells as only He can. I marvel at times at the examples God gives us, through His own Son and the Apostle Paul. I would hug you if I could but I do hug you in my spirit and I will continue to hold you up daily. I remind myself of the overwhelming love of God that He allowed me to taste so many years ago. I don’t always understand the reasons behind the journey He has us in but I do know that it pales in comparison to what awaits us when we get home. Not even in the same ball field, not even close. You mentioned in a previous exchange between you and I how much God loves us. I can’t explain that love that He has for us but I believe it. Jesus demonstrated it and I have been the recipient of it, so many times, as have you. God loves you and I love you in the Lord. God’s grace, peace and blessings to you and yours my sister. Love in Christ – Bruce

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    1. I will be praying for you, Billy Jo. It is during these times in sharing the love of our Father that we get through this wilderness together. Paul prayed for the Colossians that they “may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;” Love and blessings to you.

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  5. I am glad for you Fran that your Natural” reaction to those dark clouds rolling in is turning to Gods word and his promises. You are giving to us in your darker times. It speaks of your depth of relationship to the Lord no matter how hard the physical path of life, There is a hope and peace beyond our understanding. I watched it and felt it in the crooked times.
    You are so right about the straight path concerning righteousness and the crooked path of this physical life. I watched my dad after losing mom in those same storms with those same promises face the adversities and good times.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Gary. From the Psalm of Asaph 77:10-13 “And I said, “This is my anguish; (infirmity KJV)
      But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
      11 I will remember the works of the Lord;
      Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
      12 I will also meditate on all Your work,
      And talk of Your deeds.
      13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;
      Who is so great a God as our God?

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  7. Frances – this is just what I needed today. Thank you. I needed strength, confidence, and hope, and you provided all those things with these scriptures. I’m sorry you feel like you going backwards right now. I just can’t imagine how hard it would be to lose my soul mate and best friend of so many years. I am praying for you. With love, Terri

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    1. Thank you, Terri, that the Lord gave you the same strength, confidence, and hope as He gives me through His Word. Without it, I would not be able to get through these times.Thank you for your prayers. He is blessing. He is so good to comfort, care for, and lead us.

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