(Lassen Pines, CA – July 2, 2004)
“The Crossroads”
I would like to speak to you tonight and tomorrow night on the subject of the will of God, and how to know it for our lives. This is a very practical subject that we all need. Wally has asked me to open up with a little of the gospel which is surely needed, because we are not sure that everyone here is saved. We would like to think that all are, but we do not know. The Bible says, “The Lord knoweth them that are His” (2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)).
So we will start this subject at the very beginning—with the gospel. Let’s look first of all at Proverbs 8:1-21Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. (Proverbs 8:1‑2), “Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths [crossroads].” The last five words of this text have been translated, “the crossroads” (J. N. Darby Translation). And that’s what I want to talk to you about. You know the crossroads are a place of decision; the traveller must decide which way to go. You can’t do as Yogi Berra once said, “When you come to the fork in the road, take it!” No, you can’t take both ways; you have to take one or the other.
There could be someone here who is at the crossroads in their life as far as eternity is concerned. Perhaps they are contemplating taking what they don’t realize is the wrong fork in the road. Divine wisdom would call to them by the gospel to choose life—to choose Christ. We would pray to God that they would hear words whereby they would be saved (Acts 11:1414Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. (Acts 11:14)). The Bible says, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deut. 30:1919I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (Deuteronomy 30:19)). The Lord has said, “Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you” (Isa. 55:33Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isaiah 55:3)). The Word of God also says, “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him” (1 Ki. 18:2121And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (1 Kings 18:21)). The only logical thing to do is to “acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee” (Job 22:2121Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. (Job 22:21)). So friend, the voice of wisdom is crying in “the crossroads,” and is calling to you to come to Christ and be saved.
Now besides any who may be lost in our audience, I know that there are many among our number who are true Christians. I also know that many of you, in one way or another, are at “the crossroads” in your Christian lives! You face decisions—important decisions—where you need guidance and help. So I want to speak about knowing the will of God in a general way tonight; and then tomorrow night look at how we can know the will of God for the more specific things in our lives.
You know, it’s been said that most of the important decisions that a person will make in his or her life are made when they are young! These decisions usually have an enormous effect on the direction of our whole lives, and will even form our character.
There is the most important decision of all—to receive Christ as your Saviour. It’s a decision that’s usually made in youth. (Statistics tell us that the older people get the less inclined they are to come to Christ for salvation.) Then there is the decision of what company or fellowship of Christians you’ll identify yourself with. And also the decision of what line of employment you’ll take up with; and where you’ll live. Then there is also the question of what kind of companions you’ll associate with—and particularly, the person you’ll marry! And so on... All these great decisions in life a person usually makes when they’re young. Since they often affect the rest of your life, they are very important indeed! So it’s vital that we have the wisdom of God in our lives, so that we make right decisions. If we allow Him to direct us according to His will, we’ll prove the blessedness of His wisdom. We’ll find that “wisdom is justified of all her children” (Lk. 7:3535But wisdom is justified of all her children. (Luke 7:35)). So we hope and pray that each one of the young people here tonight has a real desire to do the will of God.