January 2, 2024
The Steps of a Good Man
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." (Psalm 37:23). I love this verse because it reminds me that God is in control of my life. There are many days that I pray, "Lord, please order my steps today."
But does God order everyone's steps? No. Even though God is in control of everything, He gives us the freedom to make our own decisions. So, whose steps does he order?
In this verse, "a good man" is talking about someone who is following the Lord. None of us are good on our own; we can only be good by receiving Christ as our Saviour and committing our lives to Him. I received Christ as my Savior over 50 years ago. I've sought to follow Him in my life since then. There have been many times that I've fallen away in my walk with Him. However, even those in times I know He has been with me and used those times in my life to help me grow.
Romans 8:28-29 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." All of the hard things in our lives and all the times we've failed God, He wants to use in our lives to conform us to the image of His Son, to make us like Jesus. But God doesn't force Himself on anyone; they need to want to know Him. When people seek Him, He will order their steps and lead them where He wants them.
I've seen that so many times in my life. God has been leading me for many years. I'm in a totally different place than I ever imagined I'd be. A lot of my own goals and desires haven't been met. But He has used everything in my life to bring me closer to Him. I'm glad He has brought me to where I am now, because to have a closer relationship with Him is better than any of the goals I had set for my life.
As we begin a new year, it's a great time to commit our lives to the Lord. It's a great time to ask Him to "order our steps". That is my prayer for 2024; that God will order and direct my life, that He will help me grow even closer to Him this year. I hope that is your prayer also.
