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Steps and Stops

I like those two verses because we have three exciting assurances as we go through each day with the Lord.

First, God directs us in the best way. The steps of a good man or a good woman are ordered by the Lord. David wasn’t talking about fate or chance. He wasn’t saying that life is a rigid machine. He was saying, “Our Father in heaven is watching us. He has planned a wonderful day for us. We may not understand all that He has planned, but everything is in His hands.” Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good to those who love God.””

Second, God delights in us as we obey Him. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23). Just as human fathers experience delight when their children are obedient, so our Father in heaven enjoys delight when we obey Him. “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). That’s what God the Father said about God the Son, and I want Him to say that about me. At the close of the day, I want to be able to come to my Father and hear Him say, “Today you’ve been a good son. You have delighted My heart.”

Third, God delivers us when we stumble. ” Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand” (Psalm 37:24). ” He restoreth my soul” is what David said in Psalm 23:3. He upholds us, He lifts us up—so don’t be afraid of stumbling. Sometimes we do stumble on the path of life, but our steps are ordered by the Lord and our stops are observed by Him. He knows when we’ve stumbled, and He’s right there to pick us up and get us started again. Stay close to Him, because He guides and guards our path.

What do we need most today – God’s guidance because we’re confused, God’s delight in us because we feel guilty or unworthy, and God’s deliverance because we’ve fallen and are embarrassed, dirty and hurt? Thank God that He’s right there to meet our need.