On or off

Proverbs 16:17 (KJV) The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

Notice that it doesn’t say Interstate, it says “highway”.  When I see this and the idea of “depart” I naturally think of getting off the highway.  I looked for an off ramp.  When you see a sign that says bridge out ahead, you naturally look for a way to avoid that bridge.  If you’re listening to the radio and you hear that the interstate is blocked by a bunch of demonstrators as happened recently you look for an alternate route.

This is the advice that applies to every time and area of life.  The highway is not necessarily an interstate.  It could be.  It might not be.  It is a recognize route to get to the destination.  In most cases, there are alternative routes or at least ways around obstructions.  We need to be aware of that as we move through life.

I experienced this recently as I was trying to drive through town.  Unfortunately, the road was not very clearly marked.  It said there was a detour for trucks because of a low bridge.  The mystery was that in the direction the trucks would be traveling there were no bridges, but it was an early warning that something was wrong.  Since I wasn’t driving a truck, I kept going straight ahead. Instead of getting off and going right or left I found myself facing a situation where I had no escape, and was heading into a road that did not go through.  I managed to find a way around and changed my path.  If I hadn’t, I would still be sitting there today.

So?  Be alert.  That seems to be one of the prices of life.  Watch out for obstructions. Here the emphasis is on evil.  Evil exists.  Satan is out to get you.  Be aware.  Work to avoid his traps and God will supply the way out.