BEING confident that I knew the way, I did not take my A-Z with me when I set out recently to visit friends at Tipton.

After a clear drive up the M5, I turned off but at the last roundabout took a wrong turn and got lost.

My sense of direction helped but, as I later discovered, only a short way from my destination I again took a wrong turn and spent over 20 minutes at a level crossing watching the trains go by. Eventually I reached a place I recognised and was able to get to my friends 50 minutes late!

Our nation is in a similar condition, lost both morally and spiritually, but not even knowing where we are going. We have discarded our A-Z map and guidebook, the Bible, which would enable us to locate our present position, ascertain our destination and get on the right road.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:33).

FRED PONTIN, The Gospel Hall, Malvern.