Not right and Not left

Do not turn to the right or to the left, instead keep looking ahead to the path laid out for you by God. Not sure, try using your knees - get down and look up, ask, and let Him lead.

Wow, easier said than done sometimes. Doubt, worry, and fear like to creep in and make us look left. Distractions like to make us look right. When I read this in Proverbs, I suddenly felt compelled to start searching for where else we are warned to not turn to the right or the left. I know there are also many references to keeping our paths straight, but I specifically wanted to read about not right and not left.

NIV

Proverbs 4:27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil.

Deuteronomy 5:32 So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.

Deuteronomy 17:11 Act according to the law they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right or the left.

Deuteronomy 17:20 and not consider himself better that his brothers and turn from the law to the right or the left.

Deuteronomy 28: 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

Joshua 1:7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave to you; do not turn from it to the right or the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

Joshua 23:6 Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.

I was able to find many instances where this command is clear. He has set a path for us and though we may not always understand, or even sometimes want to agree, we must not look, swerve, turn, or go aside to the right or to the left. My favorite poem is the "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost. I love what this poem implies, that the easy road is not always the right road, the road most traveled is not always the best road, and taking the correct road can mean no turning back.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Choose the road that may be less traveled, but whose path has been cleared by our Lord. It may have its challenges but eternity with our Savior lies at the end of that path. Do not take the easy road, and do not turn to the right or the left as you travel. Stay the course and the Lord will protect and guide you.