Steps

The need for direction in life is desperately on the demand today. People of all ranks of life (the young and the old) require guidance in to know what to do next. The popular questions are: what can I do next? What is the plan? Which way should I take? What is my need at the moment? We want to know where, when, how long, and why.

Humankind’s tendency to find their own way has been since the days of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). However, the Scripture counsels us against this inclination. The prophet writes: “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23). Our way may end up in death (Proverbs 14:12). We can instead trust in God to guide us.

It is important to note that “the plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue (their execution) is from the Lord” (Prov. 16:1). Again, “the mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs (the Hebrew word kun, “establishes, orders aright, provides for, furnishes [cf. vs. 12]) his steps” (Pr. 16:9). “Steps” is figurative of the course of one’s life. This means the Lord not only has the last word, but He always has the wisest word or plan. It also means He is working to enable, build, transform, and furnish what is needed to fulfil his purposes in and through us. His ways are not our ways but always the best (Isaiah 55:8-9). Allow Him to direct your path.