“A man’s (or woman’s) steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way. 24. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand.” (CSB)
I took walking for granted until I went through six chemo treatments for cancer, then I realized that walking was a real blessing. Most of the time I could walk, but they were not sure steps, and I never knew when I might fall. My wife, Mary, stayed close to me all of the time in order to catch me if I fell, or to help me get back up. Those were trying days, but it was in those days that I learned the value of the words: “Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand.” If it had not been for the Lord, I would have been in despair. I don’t know how people who do not know the Lord, or even care to know Him, make it through times like that. I have read that people who depend on the Lord are just weak, and need to learn to make it on their own. More power to you unbelieving brother or sister, but I prefer not to walk alone. I prefer that my steps be “established by the Lord.” Lest you consider me self-righteous, I have made many steps that were not established by the Lord and those steps did not serve me well. I have tried both in this life, and I have found that having the Lord hold my hand has been much better. I recommend the same to you. These words really captured my attention as I read this psalm: “A man’s steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way.” Notice that the first “He” was capitalized. This means that when the Lord establishes our steps, He takes pleasure in the way we are walking. I like to think that the Lord takes pleasure in the way I am walking, but I know that He doesn’t always. That’s why I’m glad that He is holding my hand, because when I take errant steps, He is there to hold my hand and catch me when I fall. This is reminiscent of Simon Peter when he asked Jesus to let him walk on the water. You remember that Peter was doing fine in walking on the water until he began to look at the wind and the waves and took his eyes off of Jesus. His first steps out of the boat were ordered by the Lord, but the other steps Peter took on his own. The wonderful thing about this is what happened next. Peter cried out to the Lord to save him, to keep him from being overwhelmed by the waves. I have been on the high seas in turbulent waves, and I know how dangerous they can be. Jesus did a remarkable thing. He reached out and took Peter by the hand and lifted him out of the turbulent water. That surely hits home with me, and I hope that it hits home with you. It almost makes me weep with a mixture of joy and shame when I remember how many times over the years Jesus has had to reach out, take my hand, and rescue me from life’s “turbulent waves.” I can’t imagine life without that outstretched hand. The remarkable thing is that His holy hand is outstretched towards us all of the time, and all we have to do is reach out and take it. Many times, as I have attempted to minister to people, have I wanted to take their hands and put them in the hands of Jesus, but this always had to be their decision. Maybe you need to reach out and take the hand of Jesus. I have written this article for some reason and you might be the reason. You might be going through some tough times right now. Read this closely: Jesus knows what you are going through and He will take your hand and lead you through whatever it is that is troubling you now. Let the Lord establish your steps today, and it will be His pleasure to take you by the hand and lead you through. Do it!!!! Bro. Joe
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AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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September 2021
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