Daily Devotions
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12
“I’m going somewhere in life. I know my mind. I have confidence in myself.” Sometimes we come to a crossroads. One path looks broad and straight, with much promise. The other looks narrow and winding, with an unknown destination. Relying on our own judgment, we may quickly choose the broad path which leads to destruction. As the proverb says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
We examine our current path. Are we living mostly for ourselves? Do we value material possessions more than we should? Do we seek recognition, success, and power? Did we start on the right path only to stray away on a yellow brick road which leads to danger? Are we depending on our own wisdom?
God directs us to the only way that leads to life. His own Son walked the narrow path of the cross. Tempted to go astray, He never wavered. Because of His atoning death, God opens to us the narrow way of salvation. He offers protection along the way through His Word and sacraments. He brings us back when we go astray and will bring us at last to heaven.
PRAYER: Lead me back to you, O Lord, when I go astray. Keep me from the dangerous broad path which leads to destruction and direct me to the narrow path which leads to salvation. Amen.
(Devotions from “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter, copyright 1988 CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For ordering information, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit www.cph.org.)