Upside Down
Isaiah 26:7
The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous.
At first glance, this description of the way of the righteous as a level path sounds totally contrary to how Christ described it, doesn’t it? A level path is flat and easily accessible. There are no uphill climbs that require strong legs, nor are there downhill climbs that require good balance. It almost sounds as if Isaiah is comparing discipleship to a leisurely stroll on a neighborhood greenway, not a dangerous trek through high ridges and dark valleys. So how do we reconcile this with our Lord’s analogy in Matthew 7:13b-14a: “for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction … (but) the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life”? Well, Isaiah is painting the Christian life from the perspective of Heaven, not of earth. Don’t miss that, friend. While your walk of faith here in this fallen, corrupt world might be marked by treacherous topography, it’s ever grounded in the grace of God, rooted in His righteousness, and leading to everlasting glory.
If your heart feels feint as you gaze across the terrain of today, cling to Isaiah 26:7, friend. And remember how light those trials will seem from the hindsight of Heaven.