Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
(Psalm 119:35-36 KJV)
We often feel driven to go with the crowd. It is easier for us – for there is no confrontation present when you are acting within the context and agreement of a group. However, to move against the grain causes discomfort and often aggression.
When we as believers in Jesus Christ determine within ourselves to follow the Lord completely and whole-heartedly, we are often going against the grain of our surroundings. The world we live in is not populated by people sold-out completely for the Lord alone. Rather, we walk as lights in a dark realm where the strength of the light within us relates to the extent we have the Lord shining through us.
Our desire often is to turn and return to the comfort of crowd – the comfort of being accepted by our peers. The folly of this action is that we will only receive temporary acceptance quickly followed by indifference. We must be quick to remember that if there is only one man versus thousands and that one man is with God, then he is in the majority and the thousands will fall.
We must ignore our flesh and it’s desires. We must cling to Christ Jesus. We must follow the crowd of One. He will guide our steps – if we bend our will to His. He will keep us to His path. In doing so, we show Him our love for Him.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
(John 14:15 KJV)He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
(John 14:21KJV)
What more could we do? If we love Him, then we must deny our own desires and obey His commandments. Fortunately, his yoke is easy (Matthew 11:29). He does the work in us – for we are powerless without him (John 15:5).
Know this – in spite of the ridicule, hurt and pain – it is well worth it to follow the Crowd of One. May the Lord strengthen you and I to do so.
