1Sa 27:10 And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.
David was an Old Testament saint and the King of Israel, the roads he had to make were a little different than ours. The trails we are called to blaze are more related to the Gospel and are paved with grace.
The thing is, each of us should attempt to accomplish at least one thing of lasting value each day.
1. Touch a life – Today, I met for prayer with our city’s fire chief. We had a wonderful time of Christian fellowship and mutual appreciation.
I sat in the office of the Asst chief to thank him for his work. He mentioned a prayer need for a fellow employee. Right then, I decided to make a road… we shut the door and I had prayer with him for the one who is suffering from this unknown disease. Not just for her benefit, but also for his, Frankly, I put God up against it in praying for and claiming healing for our mutual friend. My goal was to make a road so he would see the power of prayer and eventually we could have that talk of salvation!
2. Gain a victory – Life is all about ups and downs, every day is a battle. We have a very real enemy and an even more real captain of our souls. If we have more victories than defeats, life is a lot better. But when the defeats outnumber the victories, it gets almighty discouraging.
Sometimes, those victories are there, but we don’t perceive them. For instance, getting up out of bed is a victory, still having a job, seeing the faces of your family, still having food and a car and housing, we take these victories for granted. Having a church and a Christian family, that’s a victory!
Conversely, we sometimes mischaracterize our defeats. Not making the whole chain of 9 green lights on Capitol Parkway is not a defeat. Your boss calling you on the carpet for being late from coming back from your break is not a defeat. Etc. So you see, perception has a lot to do with victories and losses, but we should strive to make a road each day by gaining a victory.
3. Win a soul – there is nothing like it!!! I will never forget the day that our good friends, my little boy and I went to see the president. It may seem silly, but when we walked out of there, having just heard the POTUS, we found ourselves walking side by side with Johnny Rodgers and his pastor and I was able to introduce my son to the most celebrated athlete in the history of Nebraska football, well, how cool was that!
But what about an opportunity to take a sinner’s hand and God’s hand and let them meet!!! That is making a road!
4. Make a difference - Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
You know, all the folks of my church have made a difference in my life and I hope the feeling’s mutual. But I want that to be a daily thing. It could be just a smile or a phone call or a kind word or a text that says, “I just prayed for you!” If we can just change a person’s day for the positive, we have made a road.
5. Draw nearer to God – You know what was the last song the string quartet played on the Titanic before it sank? Nearer my God to thee. Hey, any day we get closer to the Lord is a day where we have made a good road.
I think of the words of that wonderful song of long ago, Footprints of Jesus:
Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling, Come, follow Me!
And we see where Thy footprints falling, Lead us to Thee.
Refrain - Footprints of Jesus, That make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus, Where’er they go.
Though they lead o’er the cold, dark mountains, Seeking His sheep;
Or along by Siloam’s fountains, Helping the weak.
Refrain
If they lead through the temple holy, Preaching the Word;
Or in homes of the poor and lowly, Serving the Lord.
Refrain
Though, dear Lord, in Thy pathway keeping, We follow Thee;
Through the gloom of that place of weeping, Gethsemane!
Refrain
If Thy way and its sorrows bearing, We go again,
Up the slope of the hillside, bearing, Our cross of pain.
Refrain
By and by, through the shining portals, Turning our feet,
We shall walk, with the glad immortals, Heav’n’s golden street.
Refrain
Then at last when on high He sees us, Our journey done,
We will rest where the steps of Jesus, End at His throne.
Refrain - Footprints of Jesus, That make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus, Where’er they go.
You just keep trying to walk in His footprints and you WILL make a road today!
These are all worthy roads.
Many could go through several days and not make any roads.
Making roads involves surveying, building a base and paving the way.
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