Where I walk determines how I travel. And traveling with firm footing is essential.
I learned the art of careful walking when I backpacked in the mountains. Rocks, roots, and dead leaves littered the trails, making the path uneven and slippery. If not careful, I could twist my ankle, trip on a root, or slip on wet leaves. More than once, my feet magically disappeared from under me.
Having to watch my step while hiking made me wish I was like a deer. While visiting our friends in Henderson, Colorado, my wife and I traveled to Rocky Mountain State Park. The mountains are aptly named and peered at us through the car window as we wound around the curves. Suddenly, they were there, and we pulled to the side of the road for a better view. Mountain goats. But they were like deer—surefooted. They scaled the rocky surfaces—never slipping, as I would have.
“He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights” (Psalm 18:33 NLT).
Although the psalmist was familiar with mountains, I doubt he referred to God giving him the ability to climb a mountain without falling. The mountains he needed help climbing are similar to ours: financial, spiritual, emotional, relational, educational, and parental. I’ve discovered life is filled with such mountains. The psalmist scaled them because God sured up his feet.
Slipping on the mountains we climb is inevitable if we don’t let God help us scale the heights. Through prayer, meditation on His Word, and wise counsel, God gives us wisdom to know the right step to take. Even when we neglect these things and fall, He’s more than happy to pick us up, steady our feet, and nudge us.
Although we sometimes fall out of neglect, we periodically fall because God lets us. Falls teach important lessons. We need to pray before we make decisions. When we make decisions that take us out of God’s will, He will discipline us because He loves us. Occasionally, God leads us over rocky, slippery paths to prepare us for an upcoming assignment.
While it’s our responsibility to watch the path we’re traveling, God will give us firm footing so we can travel it.
Travel your life paths with confidence. God will give you sure footing to walk down each one.
–Photo by Jan Huber on Unsplash
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- Devotions from Psalms Series: Traveling with Firm Footing - June 25, 2024
