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MAKE STRAIGHT PATHS

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA · Feb 14, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 7.

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"MAKE STRAIGHT PATHS."

By Augusta W. Heald

FREQUENT mention is made in the Scriptures of the straight way as compared with the crooked. "Make straight paths for your feet." Heb. 12:13. "The way of peace they know not; . . . they have made them crooked paths." Isa. 59:8.
From these and similar expressions we may understand that the straight path indicates the way of righteousness, while the crooked way symbolizes a life of deception or sin in its varied forms.
The cherubim of Ezekiel's vision "went every one straight forward; whither the Spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went." Eze. 1:12.
It is not in self-interest that we are to tread the narrow way. Our relations with others are such that we are unconsciously influenced one by another; as we walk, so will certain others walk. How forcible then are the words of Inspiration, "Make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." Heb. 12:13. Even in the common matter of eating and drinking, our example may lead another into error. Are we ready to say with Paul, "If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend?" 1 Cor. 8:13.The true Spirit of the Master says, "For their sakes I sanctify Myself." For other's sake we, too, are to tread the narrow way, that some weaker one following in our humble steps may so gain with us an entrance into eternal life.
As we journey on through this wilderness world, we are not alone. Christ and holy angels attend us. "They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." Ps. 91:12. "I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight." Isa. 42:16.
Our God has promised to exalt the valleys and to level mountains in preparing a highway for His people to the holy city. This is the "way of holiness," in which "the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Isa. 35:8-10.
AUGUSTA W. HEALD.