By Any Road

11/17/2020

Genesis 22: 16-17 “By Myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing…that in blessing I will bless thee…”

God blessed Abraham because of his devotion and faithfulness. He obeyed God up to the point of preparing to sacrifice his own son. Now that is an immeasurable amount of faith. Chamber quotes an old hymn today that has the words, “My goal is God Himself…At any cost, dear Lord, by any road.” These words truly reflect the faith of Abraham, and other Biblical heroes of the faith.

I falter in my faith so very often. I never question God’s existence, or the truth of being saved by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Where I am weakest is in the waiting. That is happening as I write these words. A situation or opportunity arises, and I think it will go one way because I am sure that God has opened a door. All the signs are there, and just when I think an answer is eminent, God asks me to wait once again. It is in those times of trusted silence or emotional weariness that I am weakened, and my armor slips a bit. That is just the opportunity Satan is looking for to bring on doubt and discouragement. Most of the time I pick up my sword and shield right away, but sometimes I don’t. It is then that the sadness and fear invades, and I turn into a little kid who is kicking at the dirt. 

These words of Chambers at once encourage and rebuke, “By the discipline of obedience I get to the place where Abraham was and I see Who God is.” Clearly, I still need to work on the discipline of obedience. The miracle is that God never gives up on me, even when I fail over and over again. Amazing grace. So my journey continues, thankfully, and I am brought to a place of asking for forgiveness once again. Let these be my thoughts, Dear Jesus, and my every prayer: “My goal is God Himself…At any Cost, dear Lord, by any road.”

"My Goal is God Himself "

Frances Brook 1869

 My goal is God Himself, not joy, nor peace,

Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God

‘Tis His to lead me there—not mine, but His—

At any cost, dear Lord, by any road.

 

So faith bound forward to its goal in God,

And love can trust her Lord to lead her there;

Upheld by Him, my soul is foll’wing hard

Till God hath full fulfilled my deepest prayer.

 

No matter if the way be sometimes dark,

No matter though the cost be ofttimes great,

He knoweth how I best shall reach the mark,

The way that leads to Him must be straight

 

One thing I know, I cannot say Him nay;

One thing I do, I press towards my Lord;

My God my glory here, from day to day,

And the glory there my great reward.