Wisdom: The Narrow Path

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

-Proverbs 4:25-27

There is a line from the first Lord of the Rings movie, The Fellowship of the Ring, in which Galadriel, the elf queen, tells Frodo, the ring bearer, that the mission he and his fellowship are on balances on the edge of a knife. She warns him that any straying from that mission, either to the right or the left, will not only end their mission, but effectively bring about the end of Middle Earth.

In her warning, the Lady Galadriel echoes the words of Christ to His followers.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” –Matthew 7:13-14

The life of a Christian is not easy, if it were easy we would have no need for God and the work of Christ. The gate is narrow. In fact, there is only one way to the gate of Eternal Life. Take your eyes off of Christ and you will fall. Keep your eyes fixed on Christ in faith, and He will keep you on the straight and narrow path.

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Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word;

Curb those who by deceit or sword

Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son

And bring to naught all He has done.

Lord Jesus Christ, Your power make known,

For You are Lord of lords alone;

Defend Your holy Church that we

May sing Your praise eternally.

O Comforter of priceless worth,

Send peace and unity on earth;

Support us in our final strife

And lead us out of death to life.*

Amen.

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*"Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word," LSB 655