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Upheld


          The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.   (Psalm 37: 23-24)

We’ve been talking about perspective a lot, and today’s passage is yet another example. What does it mean that our steps are made firm? Does that mean we know exactly where to put each foot? Does it mean that everywhere we walk, it’s on an absolutely smooth slab of concrete, with nothing growing up through the cracks to trip us, or hide a change in level that will trip us? Does it mean that there will never be “wind and waves boisterous”? Likewise, what does it mean that a person will stumble, but not fall? What does it mean to be upheld with his hand? 
          The most obvious meaning invokes a picture of walking hand-in-hand with God. If you trip or stumble, His strength keeps you from falling off the trail, over the cliff’s edge. He keeps you on your feet. But the other equally obvious thing is that if He has a hold on our hand, we can’t go wandering off. We are both upheld and held up, and like children of every species around the world, sometimes, we find that frustrating!
          A second way of thinking about this passage is to ask what makes a person’s steps firm other than making the terrain smooth and flat. Three ideas come to mind. First, there is faith. If you believe you can cross the terrain, you’ll step out with more confidence. Secondly, strength. If you have strong legs and strong ankles, you’ll have more confidence in your steps. The third thing is a good pair of  hiking boots or shoes. There are places I will tread without a moment’s hesitation when I have hiking boots on that I wouldn’t dream of attempting to cross in bare feet, flip flops, or stiletto heels. 
          The first two have fairly simple application in our lives, but what is a good pair of spiritual hiking boots? In Ephesians 6, it talks about having our feet shod with the boots of the preparation of the gospel of peace. In this passage, the suggestion seems to be God, Himself what makes our steps firm. He’s our boots. Another possibility would seem to be His will. If you are walking in His will, you need fear nothing.

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