The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
It is interesting that so many English translations refer to the steps of a “good man.” I make this point because, in reality, the Hebrew word gever should be translated as “strong man.” So why was the decision made to translate this as good? There are many men who wish to do good but when pressed and tempted are too quick to give into the evil inclinations of the flesh. It takes a strong man (or woman) to overcome that inclination and do what the Lord has commanded. But we must also acknowledge that the strength to overcome does not come from ourselves but from above. As it is written, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
It takes a strong person to resist all the seductions the world entices us with and, if we are willing to be completely honest, none of us have the strength to resist every single one of them. We may not be tempted with one thing but there is another that has our name on it. Were it not for the Word of God and the empowerment of His Spirit, no one would be able to walk the path that God has ordained for us. And so in reality, the strong man or woman is the one who realizes that in our weakness, He is proven strong. As it was said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” And so as Paul said, so let us all say, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
When we are led by the Spirit, it is inevitable that we will be led into difficult situations and circumstances that are calibrated to our spiritual maturity; but also intended to cause us to grow in spiritual strength. Should we falter, and that is likely to happen with many of us, we have the promise that He will not cast us away. To the contrary, even as we stumble, He has us by the hand so as to soften the fall. Just as an earthly father would grasp the hand of a stumbling child lest they hurt themselves, our Father has us by the hand even as He leads us into troubling circumstances. He is for us and not against us; though He sometimes allows the situations that causes us to fall it is always with the intention of building us back up. So may it be that today and everyday, as we strive to do good, let us endeavor to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).
APRIL 22, 2024 Psalm 37:21-22 The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives. For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, but those cursed by Him shall be cut off. As the old saying goes, there are givers and there are takers. There are those who would make […]
APRIL 21, 2024 Psalm 37:18-19 The Lord knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. Messiah told us that the Father is so concerned with and involved in our lives, that He keeps track […]
APRIL 20, 2024 Psalm 37:16-17 A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. No one, the righteous of the wicked, like going without the essentials of life. It is our nature as humans to desire what […]
APRIL 19, 2024 Psalm 37:9-11 Those who wait on the Lord shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. When Rebekah realized she was pregnant she also […]
APRIL 18, 2024 Psalm 37:7-8 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; so not fret—it only causes harm. In comparing the two sons of Isaac, the Bible says that the younger, Jacob, […]
APRIL 17, 2024 Psalm 37:4-6 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. What we […]
APRIL 15, 2024 Psalm 37:1-3 Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. In Judaism it is […]
APRIL 14, 2024 Psalm 36:11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. In Luke’s Gospel it is recorded that, as the time drew near for Messiah to be offered up, “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). It […]
APRIL 13, 2024 Psalm 36:10 Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart. As David was concluding this psalm, he prayed that God would continue extending His goodness to him and to all who have a genuine relationship with the Almighty. In his words, those who […]
