Stepping Forward into Life

Our steps are ordered by the Lord. He makes our steps secure.

I was reading Proverb 14 one night and stopped on verse 15, which says, "A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thoughts to his steps" (NIV). Now, this verse didn't have a reference beside it in the Leadership Bible I was reading from; but it made me curious because I know there are a lot of verses on being simple and on the idea of steps. Knowing that Proverb 16 has a few verses on the topic, I came across verse 9 which mentions, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps" (NIV). 

The idea of planning prior to going anywhere or doing anything has been recommended to me over the years. I have heard it said that one hour of planning can save you ten hours of wasted time each week. I am all about being productive and if planning helps with productivity, I am in. 

In the Leadership Bible (NIV) version, beside Proverb 16:9 there is a reference to Jeremiah 10:23, where Jeremiah is praying to the Lord after being told about the coming destruction to Judah. Jeremiah humbly states, "I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23 NIV)". You're probably questioning: do we really have control over where we go, and what we do? I believe the answer is yes, because God has given us the chance to choose, "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!" (Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT). So the choice is ours in how we take our steps, but somehow the Lord is still the one who orders and directs them. 

Today's verse of the day in the YouVersion Bible App is from Psalm 40:1-2, "I waited patiently for the LORD, he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure" (ESV). The psalmist, David, found himself in the pit of destruction and in the miry bog, and he waited patiently for God to rescue him. He had as choice in the steps he took and somehow they got him in a state of needing rescue. Oh, aren't we all in need of rescuing? 

Each day, we are given a choice in the steps we take, but our steps are only secure when they are ordered by the Lord. He is our rock and our way maker. 

Be blessed.