Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

Proverbs 4:14-15

If you can remember back far enough, our driver’s license test included a section on signs of the road. The orange signs are signs of caution. We’ve all seen a “Detour” sign. It usually says, “Road Closed Ahead.” The first thought that usually comes to my mind is of frustration because my trip is now delayed, it’s going to take longer and it’s going to mess up my schedule. What I have to remember, however, is that “Detour” signs are actually a good thing because they warn us away from worse trouble or a possible catastrophe in the case of a bridge being out. A well-marked “Detour” sign may cost a little time, but it’s well worth the extra time to avoid the possible pain or grief that ‘staying the course’ would have resulted in.

We have many “Detour” signs in Scripture. They often provided for safety and protection for God’s people. We remember that God protected the baby Jesus by detouring the wise men to go a different way home (Mt. 2:12). Our verse above instructs us to detour around the path of the wicked. The N.T. tells us to detour around people who teach false doctrine (Rom. 16:17). We detour around immoral living as we remain faithful to our spouses (1 Cor. 7:2). The epistles to both Timothy and Titus instruct us to detour around foolish and useless questions. God has promised to always provide a detour around any temptation (1 Cor. 10:13). As in real life, it is our responsibility then to follow the detour and avoid the temptation.

Sometimes we depend on others to show us the way, but we have to be so careful who we follow. I tend to depend on my GPS. A number of years ago, I was taking my son to college. After having stopped for lunch, I turned the GPS back on to continue our trip. It was not until two hours later that I realized that the GPS had reversed course on me!! The Apostle Paul tells us: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). The next time we are frustrated when we see a detour sign, take a moment to thank the Lord for the detours He places them in our lives to keep us safe and traveling on the secure road. We should stop moaning and begin contemplating on the faithfulness of God as we drive those extra miles.