THE SMALL AND NARROW WAY

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and thee are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13, 14)

It is hard to imagine not being able to serve the Lord, or attend a place of worship-where God is praised. During my children’s growing years, I promised the Lord that I would dedicate my life and my children in understanding God’s ways. I tried my best to lead them in his path and realized that God’s ways are better than the things this world has to offer. I prayed that the seed of his word would be planted in their hearts in making them wiser and in choosing the right path. I’m thankful to God, because he has given me direction in my children’s upbringing. Yet, I realize that though my choices for them have been godly - as adults they have a right to choose their own path. But for many parents the expectations they have for their children is not always “the small and narrow road” leading to righteousness. (Matthew 7:13,14)

Many young men and women start off in childhood on a godly path, but somehow along the way stray from the narrow road. They plunge themselves into a world of misconception about God and the Bible, driven by the world’s morality and its ways, while becoming tolerant to their own way of thinking and pleasing to their own way of life. What happened along the way? Somehow, like the car that makes a wrong turn and ends up at a dead end – that’s what happened to these young minds.

Lets consider the story of Daniel; Hananiah, Misahel and Azariah who were carried off to Babylon in their youth and were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. All the riches in the world were at their disposal, and the best foods to eat and the best wine. They were put to the test. Yet Daniel and his friends refused to defile themselves of the king’s food and drink. They feared a Most High God – greater than the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. And because they refused to eat and drink from this pagan king’s table, God gave to these four young men knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. They chose their path – a narrow road and God blessed them for their righteousness. (See Daniel 1: 1-17)
Keep in mind what a wise man named Solomon said: “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them” – (Ecclesiastes 12:1) God Bless!

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,
Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls.”
(Jeremiah 6:16)