It’s best to stay on God’s path when facing troubles.

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“My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.”
Psalm 17:5 English Standard Version

I’m not against straying off the path to explore new territory, but doing so can be dangerous. The biggest danger is getting lost, especially if you don’t have a map and don’t know the territory.

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

King David was in danger when he sang this prayer to God. We don’t know the circumstances or if he was referring to an event recorded for us in the narrative of his life. Whatever the situation, David’s life was threatened.

At the time of this danger, David claimed that he had kept his feet on God’s path and as a result he had not slipped.

It’s easy to stray from God’s path when we sense that our lives are in danger. Maybe we believe that God is too slow to come to our rescue. Maybe we believe that God only helps those who help themselves. Maybe we believe that God is incapable of hiding us in the shadow of his wings when we face troubles.

David knew what we know: In difficult situations it’s always best to keep our feet on the path of God’s Word. It’s not easy keeping our feet on God’s path when facing danger, but it is best.

It is Christ who fulfills David’s prayer. We know that David strayed, but Jesus never did. His feet walked the road leading to his cross. The power for us to walk on God’s path for life is a gift from the one who walked to his death and resurrection for us.

We will face dangers. In those dangerous times may we keep our feet on God’s path and trust in his power to rescue us.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner