The GPS (Global Positioning System) in our rental car announced, “You have arrived at your destination!” We had just turned onto a very busy street. People were yelling as they rushed to a round-shaped building that appeared to be their place of worship. They dressed differently than we do and spoke in a different language. My husband and I looked at each other and shook our heads. The GPS was wrong! We were looking for the hotel where we had reservations, and there was no hotel anywhere in sight.
We were on vacation in a foreign country where cars drive on the left side of the road and cars’ steering wheels are on the right side of the car. There are many “roundabouts” (where four or more roads come together in a circle) and it’s hard to find your way. We depended on the GPS to direct us to each new place.
Can you imagine how terrible it would be to think you were going to heaven when you die, and then discover too late that you had arrived at the wrong place! God has given us perfect directions in His road map—the Bible. There we read a story about a rich man who thought he was going to heaven, but he ended up in hell. You can read about it in Luke 16:19-3119There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19‑31).
We drove around the area looking for our hotel. We called the hotel, and the employees from the hotel could not direct us! The area was so full of shops and stores, they didn’t even recognize the name of a store that was two blocks away. After praying and asking the Lord to help us, He did, and we finally found the hotel.
God’s directions to heaven are not difficult to follow. Simply trust and depend on the Lord Jesus, who died on the cross to wash our sins away. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:55Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)). ”Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
We were to find out a few more times that we could not depend on the directions the GPS gave us to be correct. Sometimes it would tell us to turn right, but the line on the screen was turning left. But our Savior can be fully trusted to always be correct. He has gone back to heaven with a mansion ready there for us. He is coming back soon to take everyone who trusts in Him to His perfect home in heaven. Are you trusting in Him? Are you following His directions?
After we trust in the Lord for our salvation, we can trust Him for direction in other areas of our lives. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105105NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)).
ML-12/25/2016