Day 29: Jesus, Your Way Is Best

If Peter, James, and John could have had their way on the mountain with Jesus when He was transfigured before their very eyes, they would have built three tabernacles: one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah (Matthew 17:4). The “good” in Peter’s eyes was living on the mountaintop and seeing the glory. And isn’t that what we would all love to experience? Wouldn’t we prefer comfortable sight living as opposed to the “risky”, and sometimes, uncomfortable faith walking? Living by faith isn’t easy and requires paying careful attention to God’s Word. Paul told his disciple, Timothy, to “fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). Oswald Chambers says faith is a fight always, not sometimes. Jesus didn’t stay on the mountaintop. Instead, He led them down from the mountain of transfiguration to the valley of trial. The other nine disciples were unable to heal a demon-possessed man. Jesus told them privately that their inability stemmed from unbelief and the need for prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:20-21). Sometimes the faith-choice will be prayer and yes, even fasting. Then, Jesus told them of the road immediately ahead: “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up” (Matthew 17:22-23). The disciples were, according to Matthew, “exceedingly sorrowful”.

Jesus is teaching me something important about the way I look at events in my life. I am learning that sometimes the way I think is good may not be the best. And the way He leads me may bring sorrow, but is leading to something amazing that I do not yet see. In Peter’s mind, the mount of transfiguration was the place to stay. He just wanted to build tabernacles and live there. But in fact, leaving the mountain that day two thousand years ago, meant I can now experience forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Jesus had no intention of staying on that mountaintop for a long period of time. He took them there, but He did not keep them there for very long. Jesus’ way is best. As I follow His lead, I need to remember to “live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). He leads me in ways and takes me on travels that require a firm, steadfast faith in His Word. Why? Because His ways are not always the roads I would choose. I need to constantly fix my eyes firmly on Him “by faith” in what He says in His Word. So when I don’t think things are going “my way”, then by faith I choose to follow His lead, and trust that they are going His way.

My Response: Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me this mountaintop experience and teaching me the profound truth of the goodness of Your ways. I choose to say Yes to You and follow You today, even in the times when I don’t understand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.