“DON’T LEAVE THE PATH!”

The last words of Gandalf echoed through their minds as Thorin and Company along with Bilbo Baggins entered the Mirkwood Forest on their way to the Lonely Mountain. They had just begun the most dangerous part of their journey in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. The path was narrow and wound in and around the trees, each step taking them further into deep darkness, but the dwarves and the hobbit stayed on course.

Days passed with complete darkness, stale air, and little food or water. Adding to their difficulties, Bombur had fallen into an enchanted stream. After four days of beautiful dreams and peaceful sleep, Bombur awoke to no food and no remembrance of what brought him to this forest. Hunger filled their minds as the dwarves and Bilbo continued to tread along the path. A light to the left of the path caught their eye and smells of roasting meat filled the air. Should they continue on the path or yield to temptation and seek the tantalizing meal? With good instruction left behind, Thorin and Company headed for the clearing where elvish-looking folk were feasting and laughing merrily. As the dwarves moved forward to join them, everything disappeared. Again and again, they followed the light only to find the elves disappear the moment a foot touched the clearing until finally the dwarves and hobbit were lost in the deep, dark forest, far from the path and one another.

Bilbo woke to find a strong, sticky string against his hand and his legs were bound. A giant spider continued its work of tying Bilbo up. Waking in time, Bilbo desperately fought until he was free, and remembering his sword, killed the giant spider. He regretted their choice of ignoring the advice to stay on the path. Slipping on the ring, Bilbo became invisible and went to seek his friends.

In my hiking journeys, I noticed tree branches encased in thick spider webs. Not tempted to venture too near, I snapped some pictures but stayed on my path. And that’s the thing, the dwarves and Bilbo did not stay on their path. Rather than following good advice, they allowed temptation to steer them off course, lost themselves in darkness, and were caught up in a web.

Isn’t it easy to be caught up in a web? Snared by sin and the things of this world that tempt us off the course? Difficulties muddle our thinking, temptations cause us to make bad choices, we listen to others rather than God, we choose our own way and are left in darkness. Seeking our own desires, we turn off the path, causing us to lose ourselves and be snared.

So, what do you do? How do you stay on the right path? Throughout the book of Proverbs, we find the answer.

“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.” (Proverbs 10:17)

“Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.” (Proverbs 4:26)

“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” (Proverbs 3:6-7)

“Don’t leave the path!” Follow the instructions God has given you in His Word. His instructions lead to life and keep your way sure. The truths of God’s Word keep you from being ensnared, caught up in the temptations leading to sin and leading others astray.

In the midst of Bilbo’s battle with the giant spider, he remembered his sword. Your sword is the Word of God. It has power. Daily time studying God’s Word and memorizing scripture will prepare you for the battles of life and will keep you from wanting to step off the path. As you obediently follow God’s commands, you stay on a path that leads to life. You won’t be caught up in a web.

Don’t be bound in sin that leads to darkness; follow God’s plan that leads to freedom and life with Him. Let His Words echo in your mind and keep you on His path.

In His Love,

Susan