DIVINELY ORDERED STEPS

“The STEPS of a good man are ORDERED by the LORD, and He delights in his way” – Psalm 37:23

The Believer in Christ is entitled to DIVINELY ORDERED STEPS all through life: “The STEPS of a good man are ORDERED by the LORD, and He delights in his way” (Psa.37:23). Psalm 37 speaks of God’s ever abiding faithfulness to His Children. It was written by David in the twilight of his life from the perspective of his experience of knowing God and walking with Him. David’s life which consisted of both great victories and great failures shows us that we may fail, stumble, or be discouraged in the journey of life; but though we fail a test, we can still pass the course. God directs, orders, and establishes our goings as His children. He always leads us to the things that will be for our good and glorify Him. He knows and does what is best for us even if it means being corrected or chastened to produce strength and endurance in us.

We must accept that God’s sovereignty controls our lives. We sometimes get beside ourselves and think that we know what is best, only to go down the path to trouble, until the LORD restores us on track. Our lives as God’s children are precious to Him. He will direct our steps around danger or protect us in the midst of danger. His omnipotence and omniscience guide us through life’s course, through the doom and disasters, into His presence. Our steps truly are ordered!

Steps refer to the Path of Life – “one’s going” or “one’s direction.” A heart that’s given to the Lord is automatically set on a journey that is planned, willed, and Ordained by Him. He has a specific Plan for each of His Children. We were not saved to wander aimlessly in life, but to do and to be what the Lord destined for us. He is the Great Shepherd and we are His sheep. He desires that His sheep be cared for, directed, and protected. A Good Man is the person whose sins have been cleansed by the Lord and whose Faith is solely placed in Who Christ is and what He has done for us on Calvary’s Cross. However, the True “Good Man” is the Lord Jesus Christ, because “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom.3:10b). Our goodness or righteousness is imputed to us by the Lord through Faith.

The word “ordered” means “established,” which in the Hebrew means “to decree,” “to make good,” “to ordain,” “to raise up.” Our lives’ journey has been “decreed,” “ordered,” “ordained” by our Creator. God loves us enough to plan out every step of our life. While this does not preclude trials and tribulations, in spite of our failures and shortcomings, the Lord will never cast us aside: “For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb.13:5b). He delights in those who allow Him to order their lives. And we may not fully realise how God delights in His Children, until when we stand in Heaven and hear the Master’s Words: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Mt.25:21).

Sometimes the way is dark and we may falter and fail, but the Holy Spirit says: “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His Hand.”  (v.24). There  may be difficulties along the way; and at times it may seem as though we would be defeated or ‘utterly cast down’; but we have God’s promise of revival and restoration. With steps ordered by the Lord, we will never be forsaken, nor ever suffer want (v.25; Heb.11:35-40). And our faith will never fail. True Faith gets up off the ground and continues on the journey of destiny. His “hand” stands for His power, strength or means. The One Who upholds the universe holds us in His Hands, and we can rest assured that we are safe and in Good Hands.

If we function according to God’s Word and adhere to His Prescribed Order, which is Faith in Christ and the Cross, we will reap His Promises of ORDERED STEPS and Divine Delight all through Life’s Journey.