by Annie Wald
“Together you are one whole traveling body”: See 1 Corinthians 12:25–27
“love was not rude or easily angered”: See 1 Corinthians 13:5
“He went to bed angry”: See Ephesians 4:26–27
“spewing fiery sparks”: See James 3:5–6
“man with a smooth tongue came”: See Proverbs 6:24
“the King’s holy light that would cause a person to shield their eyes”: See Exodus 33:18–20
“things that were unlovely”: See Philippians 4:8
“not complaining or arguing”: See Philippians 2:14–15
6. INTO THE ORCHARD OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS
“one could often see a well-off traveler”: See James 2:14–17
“Rich travelers built large houses”: See Luke 12:13–21
“to worry about what they would eat”: See Luke 12:22–31
“their love of its pleasures grew”: See Mark 4:19
“felt the strain of earning enough”: See James 4:1–3
“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink”: Isaiah 55:1–3 NLT
“Call on the King”: paraphrase of Isaiah 55:6–7 NLT
“lavish in his forgiveness”: paraphrase of Isaiah 55:7b THE MESSAGE
“the King’s words cut through him like a two-edged sword”: See Hebrews 4:12
“They were dying for heart food”: See John 4:34; 6:35
“But you walked away from your first love”: Revelation 2:4–5 THE MESSAGE
“I see what you’ve done”: Revelation 2:3 THE MESSAGE
“Today, if you hear His voice”: Hebrews 3:7b–9
“See to it, brothers and sisters”: paraphrase of Hebrews 3:12–13
“false teachers may come among you”: 2 Peter 2:1, 3, 14, 15
“it is easier for a camel”: paraphrase of Matthew 19:23–24, 26
“responsible to love Celeste”: See Ephesians 5:25
“not by lording it over her”: See Matthew 20:25–28
“You will go out in joy”: Isaiah 55:12–13
“There’s nothing to these people”: 2 Peter 2:17–18a THE MESSAGE
“all the good and perfect gifts”: See James 1:17
“keep my heart and mind set”: See Colossians 3:1–3
“Many travelers want to serve both the King and Money”: See Matthew 6:24
“Yes, the orchard is the King’s”: See Psalm 24:1
“Don’t love the world’s ways”: 1 John 2:17–18 THE MESSAGE
“The Servant turned water to wine”: See John 2:7–9
“went to parties with people who were not traveling to the King’s City”: See Matthew 9:9–12
“the Chosen People had the same problem”: See Deuteronomy 8:7–17
“People do not live by bread alone”: Paraphrase of Matthew 4:4 NLT
“enough love to cover over the faults”: See 1 Peter 4:8
“Who needs a doctor”: Mark 2:17 THE MESSAGE
“The eye is the lamp of your body”: Matthew 6:22
“Ask the King to strengthen you”: See Ephesians 3:16–17
“Only Your grace is sufficient for me”: See 2 Corinthians 12:9
“The Breath of the King filled him, and he lit the match”: See Philippians 4:13
“The walls there are made of jasper”: See Revelation 21:18–21; 21:4
“Forget what is behind”: See Hebrews 12:2
“surefooted like deer”: See Habakkuk 3:19
7. ALONG DESOLATE CANYON TO REVENGE CHASM
“the King still cared for them”: See Isaiah 44:21–22
“the Breath of the King reminded him”: See John 14:26
“wanting to drink the chalice”: See Matthew 5:27–28
“The lips of a Honey Woman”: See Proverbs 5:3–6
“Keep to a path far from her”: See Proverbs 5:8–14
“the Servant sympathized with Peter’s weakness”: See Hebrews 4:14–15
“Oh, what a miserable person I am!”: See Romans 7:24
“could approach the throne of grace with confidence”: See Hebrews 4:16
“For there is now no condemnation”: See Romans 8:1–2
“the Breath of the King spoke to him: ‘Flee, flee’”: See 1 Corinthians 6:18
“Do you not know that your body”: paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
“angels and demons, heights and depths”: See Romans 8:38–39
“When my heart was grieved”: paraphrase of Psalm 73:21, 23, 24, 26
“Have mercy on your fellow traveler”: See Matthew 18:17–25
“You were taught to love your enemies”: See Luke 6:27–30
“love keeps no record of wrongs”: See 1 Corinthians 13:5
“Long before you even knew you were lost”: See Romans 5:8
“they claimed to be walking in the King’s light”: See 1 John 2:9–11
“knowledge of the Servant and the sweet fragrance”: See 2 Corinthians 2:14
“all sorts of evil things—quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger”: See Galatians 5:19–21
“if you love the King you must love”: See 1 John 4:20–21
“Anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness”: See Matthew 19:9
“your whole life has to be shaped”: 1 Peter 1:13–16 paraphrase of THE MESSAGE
“Because these trials test your faith”: See James 1:2–4
“a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner”: 1 Peter 4:13 THE MESSAGE
“Don’t be short-sighted”: See Hebrews 12:16–17
“and He loves you”: Ephesians 5:1–3 paraphrase of THE MESSAGE
“remembered he was set free for freedom”: Galatians 5:1
“the King has forgiven us completely”: I am indebted to Tim Keller’s sermon, “And Kissed Him” for this explanation of forgiveness. http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/and-kissed-him
“don’t use your freedom to go your own way”: See Galatians 5:13–14
“Take his yoke and learn from him”: See Matthew 11:29
“submit to each other”: See Ephesians 5:21
“He is faithful and he will do it”: See 1 Thessalonians 5:24
“As you obey the King”: See Isaiah 58:11
“may the King bless you”: See Numbers 6:24–26
8. THROUGH THE DARKEST NIGHT
“working together with one mind”: See Philippians 2:2 NLT
“In light of all this”: Ephesians 4:1–4 THE MESSAGE
“love binds you together”: See Colossians 3:14 NLT
“Then the king called in the man he had forgiven”: See Matthew 18:32–34
“So I will ask the King”: Ephesians 3:16–18 paraphrase of NLT
“to give without expecting anything in return”: See Luke 6:35
“Don’t you know Me after”: See John 14:9
“If you want to save your life”: See Matthew 16:25–26
“Please give me another way”: See Luke 22:42, 44
“When you pass through the waters”: Isaiah 43:2
“Peace be with you”: See John 20:19
“My peace I give you”: John 14:27
“Not my will, but Your will be done”: See Luke 22:42
“by My wounds, you have been healed”: See Isaiah 53:5
“Remain in my love”: See John 15:9–10
“How great is the love”: 1 John 3:1 paraphrase
“Not by might, nor by power”: Zechariah 4:6 paraphrase
“Everything is possible”: See Mark 9:23
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief”: Mark 9:24
“You are My beloved”: See Deuteronomy 33:12
“trusting in the King’s unfailing love”: See Psalm 13:5
“Fix your eyes on the Servant”: Hebrews 12:2 paraphrase
“And hope does not disappoint us”: See Romans 5:5
“a great cloud of witnesses”: Hebrews 12:1
“The husband could not take care of her”: The story of Robertson McQuilkin is told in his book, A Promise
Kept, Tyndale House Publishers, 1998.
“money could have been given to the poor”: See John 12:4–5
“Cancel the debt”: See Romans 13:8
“How many more times will I have to”: See Matthew 18:21–22
“she asked the King for what she needed—again and again”: See Luke 11:8–13; 18:1–8
“She worked hard to keep up with Peter”: See Ephesians 4:2–3
“have the biggest log to sit on”: See Philippians 2:3–7
“how much she appreciated”: See 1 Peter 3:9
“her love covered over his sins”: See 1 Peter 4:8
“amazed at his kindness”: 1 Peter 3:7
“the King calls you to love”: Matthew 5:38–42 paraphrase
“one of his sheep had gone astray”: See Matthew 18:12–14
“the King longs to be gracious to you”: Psalm 107:4–9 paraphrase
“the King is your shepherd”: Psalm 23 paraphrase
“May the King strengthen you with His Breath”: Ephesians 3:16–19 paraphrase.
“Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged”: See Joshua 1:9
9. UP TO THE HIGHLANDS
“listened with kindness and gentleness”: See Galatians 5:22–23
“moved with the joy and freedom of a well-loved child”: See Romans 8:5–17 THE MESSAGE
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains”: See Psalm 121:1–3, 5–8
“Be bold; you are free”: 1 John 3:21 paraphrase of THE MESSAGE
“You are a compassionate and gracious King”: Psalm 86:15–16 paraphrase
“Let all that I am praise the King”: Psalm 103:1–5 paraphrase of NLT
“freedom of being fully known”: See 1 John 3:19–22
“renewed in the knowledge of the King”: See Colossians 3:10, 12
“The way became straight”: See Isaiah 40:1–5
“It was always dry”: See Psalm 63:1
“they were still thirsty”: See Psalm 42:1–2
“they were bound to have hardships”: See Romans 8:35
“I’ve learned by now to be quite content”: See Philippians 4:10b–13 THE MESSAGE
“We are still the children of the King”: 1 John 5:19 paraphrase
“Therefore we do not lose heart”: 2 Corinthians 4:16–18
“all these trials come”: See 1 Peter 1:7
“you can boast of your weaknesses”: See 2 Corinthians 12:8–9
“you will always have difficulties”: See John 16:33
“you longed for a better country”: See Hebrews 11:13–16
“Those who belong to the Servant”: See Galatians 5:24
“we shall be like Him”: See 1 John 3:2
“Be blessed as you journey”: See Psalm 119:1–7 paraphrase
“The city appeared as an unshakable mountain”: See Hebrews 12:22
“shone like a brilliant diamond”: See Revelation 21:11
“made of gold so pure”: See Revelation 21:18
“it did not need the sun or the moon”: See Revelation 21:23
“the River of the Water of Life”: See Revelation 22:1
“no mourning or crying or pain”: See Revelation 21:4
“a crowd of ransomed and redeemed travelers”: See Isaiah 35:9–10
“How beautiful is the place”: Psalm 84:1–4 paraphrase
“all their incompleteness made whole”: 1 Corinthians 13:10, 12 paraphrase of THE MESSAGE
“the love of the King reaching”: See Psalm 36:5
“they would always find refuge”: See Psalm 91:1
“walking the paths of this love”: See Ephesians 5:2
“They would always praise the King”: See Hebrews 13:15–16
“He would always go with them”: See Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:21
Acknowledgments
Working on this book, I have been reminded over and over that we do not walk alone. I have been nourished on my journey by the wisdom of many, including Eugene Peterson, Paul Miller, and Tim Keller. I’m also grateful for each person who came alongside me, sharing their time and talents, to help bring this book into the world.
I especially want to thank Bob Allums, a true Barnabas, for his unfailing vision and support for this book. Elaine Pierce and Jenny Russon gave invaluable early readings of the manuscript as the story took shape. I’m grateful to the members of Rabat International Church for their fellowship and encouragement along the way. My editor at River North, Deb Keiser, was a devoted shepherd during the publication process. I’m also truly indebted to Andy Scheer, who masterfully edited the manuscript.
I owe a great deal to my parents, Warren and Ann Himmelberger, whose marriage has been a reassuring example of faithfulness and love throughout my life.
I’m deeply thankful for Elizabeth and Caitlin, my daughters and friends extraordinaire, for whom I first wrote this story. Later they eagerly joined the editorial adventure, offering perceptive feedback and wonderful insights all along the way.
Most of all, I am thankful for Jack, who has shared every step of this journey with me. Without his sacrificial love, grace, and unending encouragement, this book could not have been written.
River North Fiction is here to provide quality fiction
that will refresh and encourage you in your daily walk with God. We want to help readers know, love, and
serve JESUS through the power of story.
Connect with us at www.rivernorthfiction.com
Blog
Newsletter
Free Giveaways
Behind the scenes look at writing fiction and publishing
Book Club
www.MoodyPublishers.com
Table of Contents
The King’s Way Illustrated
Foreword by Eugene H. Peterson
On the King’s Way
In the Low Country
Around the Mountains of Maturity
Across the Swamp of Selfishness
Under the Disillusioning Sun
Into the Orchard of Earthly Delights
Along Desolate Canyon to Revenge Chasm
Through the Darkest Night
Up to the Highlands
Scripture References and Sources
Acknowledgments