A straight path and a strait path

Dear friend

The time we spend on earth is often described as a journey. On that journey there are many paths we can choose to follow. The path analogy is commonly found in scripture. The directional challenge of channel choosing seems to be one of finding, entering and staying on the right path. The Psalmist knew where to go to find that path; from the Old Testament, Psalm 25:4.

4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

King David, who is credited as the writer of the psalm, certainly asked the right person for directions. A later prophet, Isaiah, explained how those who don't know the way can be lead to the true track. He describing them (us) as "blind" since we can't see what way to go. Isaiah speaks Messianically in the Old Testament, Isaiah 42:16.

16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

A near contemporary of Isaiah, Nephi, expressed similar sentiments in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 33:9.

9 ... But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.

Notice how Christ's path can be both "straight" and "strait". In mathematics a straight line is defined as the shortest distance between two points; that is to say, unbending. While a strait is type of waterway characterised by being narrow. So God's paths are both direct and determinate, linear and lean. One reason for this is given in Doctrine and Covenants 3:2.

2 For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.

So let us be both pointed and pent in our passage along the right path. His way is the only way back to where we belong. It can be strict at times but the Divine destination is well worth the joys and jeopardies of the journey.

Samuel.

Bow before God

Dear friend

During the horrendous torture of the Lord by the Roman soldiers, not only did they inflict wounds to His holy body, they also ridiculed Him. This is recorded in the New Testament, Matthew 27:29

29 And when they had plaited a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

It is interesting to note that they "bowed the knee" in dramatised derision as part of their scoffing sarcasm. The act of bowing in front of an authority figure is as old as time. While Christ truly was a king, in this case it was applied contemptuously; but remember, they knew not what they were doing.

Another example of bowing comes from the incident when Nephi was miraculously released from his bonds after his brothers tied him up and plotted his death. When others intervened the brothers realised the gravity of their evil plot. Their attempted apology is found in the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 7:20.

20 And it came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of their wickedness, insomuch that they did bow down before me, and did plead with me that I would forgive them of the thing that they had done against me.

The brothers used the act of obeisance, accompanied with pleading, to show the apparent depth of their repentant sincerity. If only they had been willing to show such desperate deferential respect to their God.

Bowing before royalty is still culturally commonplace; albeit many republican thinking people refuse. They cite that all men are equal. If only we all realised the vast inequality between mankind and God. Then the humility of bowing would come easily. This is simply and sweetly said in the Old Testament, Psalm 95:6.

6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

It is our privilege to be subject to God. Let us never feel that bowing is beneath us. We owe everything to Him. Bowing is a small act of humble, loving recognition.

Samuel.