Message summary: Today let us focus our attention on that which lies ahead as we stretch toward the mark of the prize of the high calling we have in Christ Jesus. Let us firmly resolve within in our hearts that we will stay on the straight way, not veering to the right or the left.

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"The Lord told him (Ananias), 'Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying'" (Acts 9:11). "Teach me Your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path" (Psalm 27:11). "They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness" (2 Peter 2:15).

Most of us live on a named street or road. Last week we mentioned a mill on Stumptown Road and we have friends that live on that road. I always wondered if the road is based on someone named Stump or if there had been lots tree stumps along the path when it was named. Our road is named after a church that once existed near our house.

There is only one named street in the entire Bible, "Straight Street" in Damascus where Ananias was instructed to go and meet Saul, who of course became Paul.

During the Greek period in Damascus, the city was re-designed by Hippodamus, who gave the city a grid structure. The longest of these streets, about a mile in length, was called Straight Street. Today let us consider a spiritual "straight street" we are to stay on!

David's prayer in Psalm 27:11 should be a daily prayer of ours as well, "Teach me Your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path".

Throughout the Bible we have commands to follow the straight way or straight path. Proverbs 11:5 states, "The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness". John the Baptist came to "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him". And we often paraphrase the words of our Lord Jesus in regard to living by "the straight and narrow way". (This is taken from a phrase in Matthew 7:14.)

But in the third daily text the Apostle Peter speaks of those who "have left the straight way". Today we will all make decisions and be confronted with temptations of various sorts to leave the straight way. Our archenemy's strategy is to throw in many curves seeking to steer us off the straight way. Many continue to wander off to follow the way of Balaam, son of Beor, and love the wages of wickedness.

Balaam is a prophet mentioned in Numbers most famously for having a conversation with a donkey. He did not have a consistent walk with the Lord but rather wavered in his loyalties and commitment.

The Precept Austin online commentary notes,

Today let us firmly resolve within in our hearts that we will stay on the straight way, not veering to the right or the left.

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13.

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You've given us the road map to follow through the guidance of Your Holy Scriptures. You've established that Your way is the only way to eternal life. It is the only way that we can have victory in our walk here on earth and the assurance of a victorious eternity in heaven. Just as John the Baptist went before You preparing straight paths, I thank You for going before us preparing the way for our journey. Though Scripture describes the Christian's walk as being a straight and narrow path it has steep inclines and its route will also take us through deep valleys. Should we wander off-course we're grateful for Your Holy Spirit who reminds us of our commitment to follow You and the importance of our example to those who walk beside us or behind us. Let us not veer from our heavenly destination in Your precious name we pray. Amen.