Some roads cost more to travel on than others.

But when a man chooses to place himself and his family under the reign of the King, Jesus Christ, I’m convinced that decision was made from a deep sense of conviction that no other road is more necessary for the success of his journey.

But have you ever wondered how difficult the journey out of Egypt for the ancient Israelites was compared to ours?

[What kind of journey are we on? see: Are You Stuck in Egypt?]

I doubt they were bombarded on a daily basis with subtle remarks from news media sources, motion pictures, sitcom television or public institutions, encouraging them to buy into such appalling behavior as the killing of unborn children or having sex outside of marriage.

Nor was it likely that they were regularly annoyed by any soft-pedaled comments suggesting that some measure of legitimacy be granted to the idea of romantic same-sex relationships, or to another’s abnormal yearning to adopt a different [or neutral] form of sexual identity.

That’s not to suggest such conduct was never present among them.  

But was the eight-hundred pound gorilla always in the tent?  You know, the one that showed up to keep intolerance in check.  The one who would stare you down if he sensed you had any objections to what you knew was harmful to either yourself or someone you might care deeply for.  

Do you think they would have chosen to endure this insanity from their families and friends to the extent that many of God’s people do today?  

We can be certain that not all of them did. The Scriptures confirm that there’s always been a remnant of obedient souls unwilling to capitulate to wicked behavior.  And up until about forty years ago, most of God’s people didn’t feel any pressure to adopt an attitude of open-mindedness toward a loved one’s degenerate behavior or toward some ludicrous civil statute.

So, the old battles are still being fought, but it seems there are new ones.

And the man who claims to belong to Jesus Christ can’t help but notice the bold strategic shift initiated by that roaring lion who still roams in the wilderness on our journey even today.

Because now he’s covered himself with a warm and fuzzy sheepskin, and he’s working overtime to convince the gullible male heart that a little dose of love and tolerance in the face of wickedness will help to transform him into a more realistic image of his Master—one his family and the world will like a whole lot more.

As a result, the road paved with good intentions has morphed into a cute winding pattern of yellow bricks, leading him to the wizard somewhere at the end of the rainbow…

“No big deal,” you say?

“Voila!” …says the Evil one.