Good morning my precious friends
Psalm 37 verses 23-24says “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand”
The average person takes about 4,700 steps a day. Over a lifetime, that’s a lot of steps. For the Christian, each of those steps God orders. The word “ordered” means to “make firm and to establish.” Every day, God is firming up your steps to keep us from falling.
These verses remind of us three things:
1) God establishes the steps of those who walk in His way. When we look at the state of the world, it’s easy to forget that God is ultimately in charge. No reckless fate, no fickle chance rules us; our every step is the subject of divine decree.” This is a powerful truth that we should recall regularly. Though our steps are established by God, it does not mean that it lessens our responsibility to commit our way to the Lord and delight in Him; rather, this truth should fuel our walking in His ways.
2) God delights in those who walk in His way. In Psalm 37:4 we were called to delight in God, God is described as one who delights in the way of the righteous. God takes joy in those seeking to walk in His ways in His strength... Spurgeon compared God’s relationship to the righteous “as parents are pleased with the tottering footsteps of their babes. All that concerns a saint is interesting to his heavenly Father. God loves to view the holy strivings of a soul pressing forward to the skies.”
3) God upholds those who walk in His way. Following God’s ways does not always ensure success by our or our culture’s standards. Verse 24 says, “ though he may stumble, he will not fall.” In context, this falling seems to have little to do with a moral and sinful falling (though it certainly covers that as well), but rather a material calamity or hardship. Instead of being cast headlong, God’s people are upheld by His hand even in their falling!
God is directing your steps so you can fulfill the plan He has for you. He will show you the right choices and lead you down the best path. He will show you which step to take to keep you going the right way.
God is ordering your steps by securing your footing. Sometimes life can feel like you are walking up a gravel mountain. You take a step, and it seems like you slide back two. Progress is slow, treacherous, and exhausting. You are not sure if you will ever reach the top of the mountain. He keeps you from falling by making sure you are standing on solid ground.
Psalm 40:2 says God has placed his feet on a rock and makes his footsteps firm. God is doing that for you today. While others are sliding backward, or stumbling, God keeps your steps firm and secure. He plants your feet on the path and shows you where you should step. As you seek to follow Christ today, your steps will be directed and confirmed by God.
The second part of this verse is a promise that when you allow God to order your steps, He delights in you. Like a proud father who rejoices in the first steps of his child, God rejoices over you. He takes great joy and delight as you allow Him to order your steps.
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and the word established means that they are ordered, secured and set by our Father in heaven. Nothing on the earth below nor in the heavens above can cause the steps of those that have been made righteous through Jesus Christ to stray so far or to fall so heavily, that God in His grace will not reach down and to pick us up.
Jude 24 reminds us that He is able to keep us from stumbling, so that we will one day stand in the presence of His glory - blameless and with great joy.
I've tripped at some of the most embarrassing moments in life. I've stumbled over my own feet, shoelaces, on stairs when graduating. But, I am confident that in my spiritual life, even though I have stumbled from time to time, God has not let me fall completely. When I think I'm going to plunge into the depths of the abyss, the Father's love, care, concern, Scriptures, fellow servants, and helpers have kept me from destruction. God's hand upholds me. He is there in times of trial. He has been mighty to save. I believe that He delights in each of our journeys.
Do your circumstances seem to tell you that you have been cast away by God? If you are a Christian and have put your trust in Christ, remind yourself of these truths: God is the establisher of your ways, delighting in you as you seek Him, and faithfully upholding you, even though circumstances seem to tell you otherwise! Life is unstable and unpredictable, but God’s reign is sure, His delight is true, and His hand is steady.
Let us pray:
Thank You Father that my steps are ordered by You and that You take delight in establishing the way and from keeping me from falling. Thank you for lifting me when I have been down, protecting me when I have been vulnerable, and comforting me when I have been broken. I praise You for Your grace, Your glory, and Your nearness. Help me to set my heart on things above, knowing that Christ is, seated at the right hand of God as my eternal Provider who delights to order my way and establish the path I take, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN.
Much love from Maurice and Margaret
