Our Ways or the Ways of God

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 9:36 am Post subject: Our Ways or the Ways of God

Our Ways or the Ways of God

Scripture:

You have deceived me, O Lord, and I am deceived: you have been stronger than I, and you have prevailed. I am become a laughing stock all the day, all scoff at me. For I am speaking now this long time, crying out against iniquity, and I often proclaim devastation: and the word of the Lord is made a reproach to me, and a derision all the day. Then I said: I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name: and there came in my heart as a burning fire, shut up in my bones, and I was wearied, not being able to bear it.
(Jeremiah 20:7-9)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing unto God, your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and the acceptable and the perfect will of God.
(Romans 12:1-2)

From that time Jesus began to show to his disciples, that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the ancients and scribes and chief priests, and be put to death, and the third day rise again. And Peter taking him, began to rebuke him, saying: Lord, be it far from you, this shall not be unto you. Who turning, said to Peter: Go behind me, Satan, you are a scandal unto me: because you savor not the things that are of God, but the things that are of men. Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. For what does it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works.
(Matthew 16:21-27)

Reflection:

The faithful often find themselves at odds with the world, for the ways of God are not the ways of people. Those who follow the ways of God are often criticized by those who set rules of politics, ideologies, and false religions. The faithless mock the faithful for the faithless lack a relationship with their Creator. Faithless operatives appeal to emotions through deceptions as a means to manipulate. With sanctimonious words they attack to turn public opinion to their objectives, but the truth of what they seek is often not what they speak.

One might ask, why does God allow His faithful to suffer at such deceptive lips? Why does He not extend His hand of protection to the hearts turned to Him? It is not possible for us to comprehend the answer only through the eyes of this world, for there is no lasting reward here. If we comprehend the ways of heaven, then, we might understand that what God allows on earth is for a greater good, an eternal good, for the injustice of the world will be set right in His kingdom. It is for this reason we are reminded that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. (Matthew 20:16, Mark 9:35)

The innocent who devote themselves to the will of God and suffer the attacks of evil in this time will be received by Him in the place where there is no pain or affliction, where evil is not allowed to reside, and where love is shared by all. He knows the faithful heart and He will gather them in to walk forever within His kingdom while He sends away those wedded to lies and deceptions and the arrogant who believe their ways of the world are wiser than His ways of eternal love. (Matthew 25:31-46)

The faithless operative cries out on behalf of the poor, but there is no charity in their words. They point fingers and raise up recriminations, but their objective is not to help the less fortunate, their objective is only to feed their base of power. They walk among the people in the clothing of sheep. By their attire, many shall be deceived, but the heart which follows the ways of God will recognize the paw print of the wolf. (Matthew 7:15-20) The heart which seeks God in prayer shall be blessed to receive His love within them and will allow His truth to lead them.

We might wonder, where is the conscience of the deceiver? How is it they believe justice is served through deceptions and lies? They do not question that if their cause is just, why are lies and deceptions required through which to earn support?

There are many who follow the purveyor of lies because the one who succumbs to deception does not open their heart to the council of the Holy Spirit. They turn to what they believe to be good intentions or what appears to be pleasing, but they fail to observe the snares along the path or see the signs which warn of the injustice and evil which hide in the shadows. We must be wary, for if we allow our desire to be accepted by the world to cloud our eyes of faith, we may find we have strayed from the path of truth and light.

So it was for a moment with the intentions of Peter. Who could blame him that once he discovered he was in the company of the Son of God, that he would not want to turn from the presence of the Lord? As Jesus spoke of the horror to come, who could blame Peter for wanting to turn his Lord from such ordeals, but Peter only saw in the moment. He only saw the pain caused by the absence of his Master. Peter did not see the consequence of his will or how it was in opposition to the will of God. Peter did not see as God sees, which is across all of heaven and earth and all the generations. If Peter had that sight, he would have understood the purpose of the sacrifice of which Jesus spoke and the salvation it brings for all who believe in Him. (John 3:16)

Blessed are we the will of Peter did not prevail over the will of God, for if it were not for the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, we would not have the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins or to be cleansed of our iniquities. Blessed are those who invite the Holy Spirit to guide them, for they shall see the path of love, the path by which we may turn away from the sins of the world.

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways do we turn away from the blessings of God?

How may we turn from the ways of the world and seek the path of the Lord?

In what ways may we seek to understand what God asks of us?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier