Wondered by the Word — The Bible in a YearSample

God Watches Your Path

Key Verse: Psalm 121:3

Last year, my husband and I had the incredible privilege of hiking around Hatcher Pass in Willow, Alaska. The views were gorgeous, and there’s just nothing that makes me feel nearer to God than exploring His beautiful creation.

While we hiked up the side of a mountain, my eyes were locked on the ground (a sure sign of a rookie). It was a pretty steep incline, and the terrain was a mixture of rock, grass, and very slippery mud. The last thing I needed was to twist an ankle and have to be carried down on my husband’s back. As I carefully calculated every step, I thought of Psalm 121:3 and whispered it under my breath.

He will not allow your foot to slip.

He will not allow your foot to slip.

He will not allow your foot to slip.

Suddenly, that verse came alive to me. I realized that when we’re walking along smooth terrain, we don’t think twice about our foot slipping. We can walk, strut, even run without any help or any fear. It’s only on the rocky, uneven paths that we feel the uncertainty under our feet. 

When life gets hard, a season gets messy, or a trial feels as if it will never end, it’s natural to wish for ease and comfort, to beg God to remove us from the hardship. But I don’t think God meant for us to only ever walk where it feels safe. In fact, Jesus tells us very plainly that we will have troubles (John 16:33). There’s no guarantee for a pain-free, struggle-free life. Instead, God guarantees that we can tread on the mountainside with confidence. 

You may be facing an uphill climb, you may get tripped up on the “rocks” of life, but you can hold on to the promise that He will not allow your foot to slip.

(Written by Lindsay Dryer)