Colington Road provides the only access to the place where I live in Colington Harbour, North Carolina. This road has been here since the horse and buggy days and is the most twisty, winding road I have ever traveled, with the exception of the road which leads from Jericho to Jerusalem. That particular road is a horror show of extreme turns as you hover over the side of a cliff while ascending to Jerusalem. I have ridden it in a bus and was terrified when the wheels barely stayed on the road as the front of the bus hung over the side during the sharp turns. At least Colington Road is at sea level, so there is no chance of falling off! In the past several decades, two major road improvements were accomplished on Colington Road which straightened out some of the curves. But it is still a road that requires the driver’s full attention, especially at night.

In contrast, God’s paths are straight and narrow. They are easy to spot, easy to travel, and lead to safety and peace. The only trick to God’s roads is that they require a desire to pursue righteousness through a lot of study and learning. God longs to lead us and teach us these paths in order to prevent us from falling off the side.

And trust me, it is a long way down.

Psalm 25 (Common English Bible)

I offer my life to you, Lord.
²     My God, I trust you.
Please don’t let me be put to shame!
    Don’t let my enemies rejoice over me!
³ For that matter,
    don’t let anyone who hopes in you
        be put to shame;
    instead, let those who are treacherous without excuse be put to shame.

Scholars can’t pinpoint the timing of David’s psalm, as there were many times in his life when he dealt with enemies. When you think about it, this psalm is kind of David’s experience with God in one compact nutshell. His themes of trust, conflict, sin, repentance, distress, and transgressions are all packed into these verses.

⁴ Make your ways known to me, Lord;
    teach me your paths.
⁵ Lead me in your truth—teach it to me—
    because you are the God who saves me.
        I put my hope in you all day long.
⁶ Lord, remember your compassion and faithful love—
    they are forever!
⁷ But don’t remember the sins of my youth or my wrongdoing.
    Remember me only according to your faithful love
        for the sake of your goodness, Lord.

David began this psalm by asking for protection against his enemies and continued by asking God to forget the sins and wrongdoings of his youth. Truly our greatest enemy in life is Satan, who encourages and tempts us to sin. When we ask God for protection against our sin, we are indicating our willingness to pursue God’s goodness. God will be faithful in teaching us the way to go if we simply keep our eyes and our attention focused on God’s Word.

⁸ The Lord is good and does the right thing;
    he teaches sinners which way they should go.
⁹ God guides the weak to justice,
    teaching them his way.
¹⁰ All the Lord’s paths are loving and faithful
    for those who keep his covenant and laws.

Throughout our lives the dangerous twists and cliff hangers of sin will always be in front of us. But like driving on a treacherous road, if we pay attention to the teachings of Scripture, the lessons of service, the guidance of worship, the instructions of prayer, and the constant GPS of the Holy Spirit, we will find the easy road to redemption every day. Pay attention! The Lord’s paths are loving and faithful.

Colington Road (The road used to go around the back of the white church. There were several accidents there before they moved it to in front of the church.)