April 9

THY STEPS ARE ORDERED
by Ray Prinzing

"The steps of a man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way."
                                                                                                            (Psalm 37:23).

The word "ordered" from the Hebrew word "kun" means: to be formed, prepared, established.  A tremendous threefold process, which shall result in our being duly prepared and placed in the position which He has prepared for us.  Nor, are we left to try and find our own way, to grope in blindness, with faltering steps to fall in and fall out of the path day by day.  Since our steps are ordered by the Lord, every detail is known unto Him, and He will guide us unerringly to our goal. Furthermore, we read that God delights in our way, He finds it a pleasure to tenderly lead us on, though He knows full well all the pressures to be endured, for He also knows of the joy which is set before us, when He receives us into His kingdom and glory.

The next verse in this Psalm gives added insight, "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand." (Psalm 37:24).  Through all the interplay of good and evil, HE IS THERE, and uses every fall to work a purpose, never allowing it to become "utterly cast down," but upholds with His mighty hand, to work all things together into good. There can be never be an "utterly cast down," because our steps are ordered by the Lord.  He forms each on-going step, prepares the way for it, and establishes it firmly in His will and purpose unto complete righteousness.

"When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straightened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble." (Proverbs 4:12).  A Literal translation from the Hebrew states, "as thou goest, step by step I will open up the way before thee."  Who can add to words such as these?  What a promise for continual guidance and keeping!

So it is that we discover, "the path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."  (Proverbs 4:18).  Again, a Literal translation gives added thought:  "the path of the just is as a dawning light which grows to the brightness of the noon day sun, when we are fully prepared.