Have you ever found yourself at the crossroads of a life decision and not knowing which way to go? I think we’ve all been there at one time or another. In today’s Bible Journaling Scripture, we have the assurance of knowing that God guides our steps. Psalm 37:23-24 says, “A person’s steps are established by the Lord, and he takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord supports him with his hand.” (CSB) In the World English Bible, it says, “A man’s steps are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way. Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for Yahweh holds him up with his hand.”
As I was looking at J. Vernon McGee’s commentary on these verses, he says that a man’s steps, “are established by the Lord on a foundation that is the Rock—and the Rock is Christ.” To be in step with the Lord, we need a firm foundation on which to stand, and that foundation is believing in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. It is from there that our journey begins. God guides our steps, and when we stumble, as we often do, God holds us so that we don’t fall. When we are in the middle of making a big decision and we don’t know which way to turn, it is then we must go to God and pray for clarity in making that decision by asking God for His will to be done and in His timing.
When we do that, God is pleased with us and is more than able to guide us in the right decision. Sometimes it seems like we aren’t getting any answers, especially if we’ve been praying for direction for a long time. That’s when we can become discouraged. As an example, my husband, Kraig, and I have been wanting to sell our house and move out of state to live close to family. Our house isn’t selling, even when it seems like everyone’s house is selling quickly. We can’t move until we sell our house. For a while, it seemed like God was moving and we were on our way. We had a camper that we needed to sell, and after four years, someone finally bought it. We’ve had our house for sale for just as long and finally, someone made a bid. But the one person who made an offer couldn’t come up with what we needed to have to be able to move and we had to decline the offer. We haven’t had any other offers since. I’m becoming discouraged and beginning to wonder if God wants us to move out of state. I feel like God placed this Scripture in front of me just to remind me that it is HE who guides my steps. It is His way of reminding me that He guides and moves in HIS time, not in mine. Isaiah 55:8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” (KJV)
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” (KJV) This was my first husband, Allen’s, life verse, and he lived it every day. He taught me how to trust God in everything. That doesn’t mean I’ve learned the lesson well because sometimes I question God’s leading or timing. But Allen lived in peace up to his dying day, knowing that God held his life in His hands, and that was good enough for him.
As Believers, we need to remember that we can make plans, but our plans need to be in line with God’s plan. “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NIV) Again, God is reminding us that He is the one who establishes our steps. When we make plans and don’t take into account what God’s Will is for us, we can get ourselves in trouble. We end up going in the wrong direction and can end up somewhere we don’t want to be. Even when we take the wrong path, God holds us with His Hand to keep us from falling.
If you find yourself at a crossroads, not knowing which way to go, remember this…God establishes your steps, and He holds you by the Hand. He will guide you. Keep your eyes on Him, and you can’t go wrong.
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