Forest Winds

The September winds are kicking up,

and the poplars, all so grandy,

along the road are saying, “Turn!

Your way is not too dandy!”

Their silvery leaves are telling me,

as the sun falls in, and merry,

that the way I go is not that good,

and I’d best let someone carry—

Carry me to where the birches dance,

and the ferns, on a wind a-borning,

do swirl and twirl, as I listen well,

of their end-of-summer warning—

Warning of the way that I think’s right,

which is not, to be contrary;

for there are commandments to obey,

and they’re anything but airy!

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, 

but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 14:12

   
 
Forest Winds

The September winds are kicking up. A yellow hue is appearing on the trees and some leaves are already orange and red. Autumn has begun, here in my neck of the woods. I remember a forest friend explaining the sicker trees are often the first to turn. Blue jays cawing through the woods give the final call to "Leave, and head south, all birds that migrate!"

Have you noticed how the wind moves the ferns and branches in the woods? Sometimes, a whole bunch of trees sway from the wind and other times, one lone fern has caught a windy swirl while other ferns around it are motionless. It looks as if it’s waving.

Creation can remind me of warnings in the Bible. You know, just because something feels right doesn’t necessarily mean it is. The Word of God is the standard by which to live life. The Word of the Creator is the authority by which all creation is measured.

Know ye not,
that to whom ye yield
yourselves servants to obey,
his servants ye are to whom ye obey;
whether of sin unto death,
or of obedience unto righteousness?
But God be thanked, that ye were the
servants of sin, but ye have obeyed
from the heart that form of doctrine which
was delivered you. Being then made free
from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Romans 6:16-18

The winds of obedience are kicking up. What you obey is what you are a servant to. The above passage from Romans explains that one can be a servant of sin which leads to death or a servant of obedience which leads to righteousness. It seems the opposite of obedience is sin. But the devil is always fighting against obedience, isn’t he? Don’t be listening to him.

When we read about the prodigal son in Luke 15, we learn of his poor choices and reckless attitude, squandered inheritance and wild living. We are aware of wayward direction and being lost. It seemed right at the time. But one good day, the prodigal came to his senses and returned to his loving, patiently-waiting father.

Know ye not that the unrighteous
shall not inherit the kingdom of God?
Be not deceived:
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, 
nor revilers, nor extortioners,
shall inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you: But ye are washed,
but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified
in the name of the Lord Jesus,
and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Washed. Sanctified. Justified. These are the words for the righteous, for the ones who experience God’s mercy, for children of God, for people who have made a u-turn. And why did they make a u-turn? 
Because they know Jesus Christ prayed ‘Thy will be done.”

Then he saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Matthew 26:38-39

The Son of God willingly went to the cross for us because He was obedient to His Father, praying, “Thy will be done.” Our faith in God’s provided perfect Lamb, Jesus Christ, equals being washed, sanctified and justified. Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life live forever. Live to be there.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

Amazing! ALL unrighteousness is forgiven! Only Jesus is able to make this happen. No one else can forgive any sin. That’s because Jesus Christ bore all sin on the cross. No one else bore sin. He alone is faithful and will do as He says He will. This hopeful verse rings true only IF we confess our sins. To do that, one must own up to one’s sin. It is realizing personal efforts towards justification fall terribly short. It’s acknowledging self-centered ideas, even ones that seem right, and traditions not relying on Christ lead to death.

If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:15

The Bible clarifies what is good and what is bad. The Holy Spirit also makes it known. As Jesus said, “Go, and sin no more.” Let’s try to be obedient to the commands of the Commander-in-Chief. Because of a grateful heart for Jesus, a person can strive to be obedient. Because of love for what Jesus did, one can ultimately pray “Thy will be done.”   

And I will pray the Father,
and he shall give you another Comforter,
that he may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth;
whom the world cannot receive,
because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him:
but ye know him;
for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:16-17

God is the God of second chances. And third. And fourth. It’s very good to know that God’s mercies are new every morning. He wants a relationship with us and that is very encouraging.

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen.
Matthew 6: 9-13

...being confident of this,
that he who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until
the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 

There must be glorious forests in Heaven waiting for us to walk among them. May forest winds guide you to them obediently in peace.