The Highway to Hell: Part 1

March 31

(Psalm 36:1 NIV) “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.”

(Proverbs 7:16-27 NIV) “I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. {17} I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. {18} Come, let's drink deep of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love! {19} My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. {20} He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon." {21} With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. {22} All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose {23} till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. {24} Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. {25} Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. {26} Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. {27} Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.”

God knows the difference between “wickedness” and “righteousness”. The reason we often don’t know the difference is that we don’t know God well enough. Righteousness and wickedness travel different roads. One road leads to heaven, the other to hell. In Psalm 36, David starts with the wicked road. He tells us the “on ramp” for the highway to hell is losing the fear of God. We mistake God’s grace, and the fact that God is love, for God’s blessing on any and all behavior. We forget God is holy and righteous. We forget that sin and God are completely incompatible. We forget that God holds the keys to eternity. We cease to fear God in the proper context. But God will judge us, and if we are on the wrong road when our day comes, we will not be able to simply turn around and go the other way. Our fate will have been sealed by the godless road we chose to travel. Choose the Jesus highway. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day