A Step in the Right Direction

There is a qualifier included in the Psalmist's statement, however. According to the text, the steps of a "good man" are established by the Lord - the emphasis is on a GOOD man. The GOOD man is a person of faith; one who is determined to be obedient to God.

There is sense that God in His sovereignty directs the steps of all men. While He doesn't make their choices for them, He enlarges on the way they have chosen. A case in point is the Children of Israel, who, in their rebellion, found that God directed their steps back into the wilderness and while in the wilderness after they had chosen to rebel.

A person who is determined to walk in faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ should not fear that he would end up doing the wrong thing. As Proverbs affirms, "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). As long as he considers his ways wisely giving priority to the things that are taught in the Word, he can walk confidently. I have long used the "peace principle" found in Isaiah 32:17 as a guiding factor in knowing that I am in the will of God: "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." When I have consistent peace about the steps I take, I know I am following the will of God. If I have doubts, I listen to them. In that case, my motto is "when in doubt, don't!"

All of us, being the fallible people that we are, will inevitably have some fear that we will fail to properly hear what God is saying to us or will, through our own stubbornness, set out on our own. We, like the Psalmist, find ourselves praying against any sinful attitude or intent in our hearts that will cause us to get off the path of God's leading. The Psalmist prayed: "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me" (Psalms 119:133).

The wonderful thing about living a life of faith and obedience is that the Father is as excited as we are when we walk obediently. The Living Bible very aptly emphasizes the fact that the Father not only orders our steps but also takes delight in each step we take: "The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take" (Psalms 37:23 TLB). Isn't it wonderful to realize that our Father is excited over each of righteousness that we take? It is like a parent watching over his child as she takes her first steps.

Our Father watches over us to guard us. As David said when he was pursued by Saul, "Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip" (2 Samuel 22:37). The Psalmist continued our original text by saying, "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand" (Psalms 37:24).

It is helpful to know that the Lord Jesus gave us an example of how we should walk. Peter expressed it thusly, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (1 Peter 2:21).

Paul, in Philippians 2:5 gave us the underlying foundation that defined the example of
Jesus and thus His life of obedience, "Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ." Foundational to all other things in the life of Christ is the attitude He had. In order to follow His steps, we must have and exemplify His attitude.

Christ's attitude may be expressed in the following ways. He was

1. humble,


2. submissive,


3. obedient,


4. faithful,


5. and always giving glory to the Father.

Jeff