VERSE:
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
— Matthew 7:14

THOUGHT:
We learn in Matthew 7:13 that there are 2 roads: one that leads to life and one that leads to destruction. We must make a choice to choose the road that leads to life, but that road is not appealing to the natural man. The word translated “narrow” is the Greek word “thlibo” which can be translated: afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble. If you look at the whole New Testament, you can say that the narrow road includes all of the above. I can just imagine the altar calls: “come, choose the affliction road” or “join me on the path which suffers tribulation and trouble”. So why would anyone choose this path? Because it’s the ONLY path that leads to Christ. Many fall away from the faith when trouble, tribulation or affliction comes. When this happens, it reveals that they never received the gospel with the right motives. They believed the gospel to get something from God, rather than believing the gospel to get God Himself.

APPLICATION:
When troubles come, when tribulation arises, get your focus off of the path and onto the destination. Our goal is God, not to have an easy life. When this is realized, you can rejoice in your tribulations rather than wallow in them.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for saving me, for opening my eyes to see the small gate, and for putting me on the narrow road. I pray for an awakened sense of the destination the road is leading me to. In Jesus’ Name I pray, AMEN!