Pathway to Glory

I have always enjoyed walking. Until my stroke a few years ago, I could walk all day, enjoying the Lord’s creation. I would have a lot of my prayer time during those walks. My wife and I would often have some very important discussions on those walks. In the state of Maine, there are incredible walking paths, some easier than others.

One of the keys on some of the longer walks, is to have a map or know how to follow the colored markers on the trails. If you don’t pay attention to all the directions, you could easily get lost and not get to your hoped for destination. But if you do what you’re supposed to do and trust the one who set up the directions, you’ll experience great joy when you reach your final destination.

For Lisa Hodgdon, she has come to the end of her path. She has followed the pathway to glory. The wonder of this is that each one who is willing has the same opportunity to follow that pathway. All that needs to be done is to accept the gift of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 32 is a psalm that many love that gives a description of that pathway to glory.

The Pathway to Glory Starts with Life Everlasting.

Psalm 32:1–5 (NASB95)

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit! When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.

In this section, David rejoices at the fact that God chose to set David’s sins aside. If God were to look at the sins and use them as a charge against David, there would be no hope. David recognizes this as a wonderful blessings.

Lisa, because of her faith in Jesus Christ, is experiencing the joy that comes from being in the very presence of Jesus. She is able to be present with the Lord, because her sins were not counted against her. The blood of Jesus took care of that when she accepted the free gift of salvation.

What exactly does that mean? Simple this—at one point in Lisa’s life, she had to follow the path of verse 5. Psalm 32.5 “I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.”

She had to agree with God that she, like every other human being, had sinned. Then she needed to confess that and let God do the rest. David put it so simply here, “You forgave the guilt of my sin.”

What a blessing! What joy belongs to the one who knows that they have been forgiven! What a thrill that Lisa is experiencing now, simply because she said “Yes” to Jesus Christ.

But what about those of us who are left on this earth? What about the heartache and grief, family and friends are experiencing? We will personally miss Lisa. However, it’s wonderful to have hope and faith that one day we will see Jesus, along with her, if we believe on His name. But what about the here and now?

The Pathway to Glory has the Security of the Lord.

Psalm 32:6–7 (NASB95)

Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Folks, I have to tell you that my swimming ability is slightly better than a rock. So you can guess that I really like the last part of verse 6, Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.

As a family, especially the last couple of years, you may be feeling as if the mighty waters were rising fast. You may have felt and still may be feeling as though you are not able to cope. God’s Word promises that they will not reach you. You will not be pulled under by their power.

As a non-swimmer, I tend to panic around dangerous waters. I feel as though I am out of control. Psalm 32.7 states, “You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.” God will protect us. He is our hiding place. He will surround us with songs of deliverance. Other Bible verses talk of God being our refuge, our fortress, an ever present help in time of trouble.

My friends, be encouraged by these verses.

It is wonderful to know that the pathway is so much more enjoyable when we have experienced salvation, knowing that one day we will be with Jesus forever. It is encouraging to know that along the pathway to glory that our salvation is secure and firm in the Lord.

However, sometimes we feel that we need something more than just a good guarantee. Sometimes we just need to experience a genuine love.

The Pathway to Glory Is Surrounded By Love.

Psalm 32:8–10 (NASB95)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, But he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him.

Lisa experienced what David describes in Psalm 32.8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” She knew she had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Everyone who has that personal relationship with Jesus can be assured that God will indeed help us along the pathway. He will give guidance as to the way to go. He will give instruction as to how to live our lives. He will watch over us, making certain that nothing can take us from His loving arms.

Let’s look at Psalm 32.10 “Many are the sorrows of the wicked, But he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him.” Look specifically at the one who trusts in God. The Lord’s love first of all is unfailing. Each one of us fails in our giving of love. Yet, God’s love never fails.

Not only does His love never fail; it surrounds us. Can you imagine such perfect love completely encompassing us? Well, we can experience that here on earth right now. Now, Lisa is experiencing it much more fully.

Conclusion

Psalm 32:11 (NASB95)

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.

This verse is a wonderful conclusion to this psalm. The only way that an individual can truly rejoice is when Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior. The only way a person can have a song in their heart is when Jesus is Lord of their life.

Lisa showed this every time she made a post on facebook or talked to others. She would always say, Life is good. When she said it to you personally, she would make sure you knew that the reason was that God is good. Others might have questioned how she could be so upbeat and positive while experiencing what she was going through; Jesus was the reason. Jesus is the reason.

Right now, as a family, it may seem difficult to rejoice and be glad. It may be a challenge to speak or sing without a lump in your throat. That’s okay. It’s entirely appropriate to miss the immediate presence of your mother, grandmother, and aunt.

Yet, knowing that she is with the One Whom she love, Jesus Christ, brings great joy. Knowing that she is experiencing the finish to her walk on the pathway to glory with Jesus Christ, brings a son. Knowing that for all who belong to Jesus Christ, we too will see Jesus right alongside her.

Lisa wanted a service of celebration. She wanted this to be a time of rejoicing.

Our worship team was specifically requested to share these two songs. The first song is the spiritual reality that Lisa is experiencing and that she and many of us would pray that every person here could experience.

The last song is an encouragement that if you belong to Jesus, you’re willing to give everything within your being, to live 100% for Jesus.

After that, you are invited to the fellowship room downstairs for a lunch and a time to be an encouragement and blessing to each other.