The Bible teaches that God is sovereign over all things, including every detail of our lives. Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.” This verse reminds us that God ordains and orders our steps as part of His perfect plan for our lives.
What does it mean that God orders our steps? First, it means that God is in control over where we go and what we do. The events and circumstances of our lives are not random or outside of God’s sovereignty. As Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” God guides and directs our path according to His purposes.
Second, God ordering our steps means He gives us wisdom and discernment to know which steps to take. We are responsible to seek God’s will and obey it, but God promises to lead and guide those who follow Him. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8). As we pray and study Scripture, God makes our way clear.
Third, when God orders our steps, it provides peace and confidence that we are where we should be, doing what God wants. There is freedom in submitting our ways to the Lord and trusting Him to establish our steps. Even when we don’t understand all that is happening, we can rest knowing God has us right where He wants us for His glory.
However, this promise of God’s ordering our steps has a condition according to Psalm 37:23 – we must delight in God’s way. Delighting in the Lord means finding joy and satisfaction in His commands and His presence. It means desiring His will above our own. When our heart’s delight is to please God and walk in His ways, we can trust Him to order our steps and direct us on the best path.
In summary, here are five key truths about God ordering our steps:
- God is sovereign over every part of our lives and ordains all the events and details of our lives according to His perfect plan.
- God gives us wisdom and discernment when we seek Him diligently in prayer and studying the Bible.
- When we follow God’s leading, we can have peace and rest in God’s purpose and plan for our lives.
- Delighting in the Lord and His ways is key to God directing our paths.
- Submission to God’s sovereignty is crucial – we must surrender our will to His in order to follow His steps.
How does God order our steps practically?
On a practical level, how does God order the steps and direct the path of His children? Here are some key ways God guides those who follow Him:
- Through His Word (Psalm 119:105) – As we read Scripture, God makes His will clear and gives principles for wise decisions.
- Through Prayer (Psalm 25:4-5) – Seeking God’s face continually allows Him to guide us step by step.
- Through wise Counsel (Proverbs 15:22) – God places people in our lives to provide biblical and spiritual guidance.
- Through Circumstances (Romans 8:28) – Open and closed doors are ordained by God to lead us.
- Through the Holy Spirit (John 16:13) – The Spirit guides believers into all truth and discernment.
- Through Godly Desires (Psalm 37:4) – When we delight in the Lord, He shapes our desires and inclinations.
The key is that we must be sensitive to the Lord’s leading in all areas of life. As we stay connected to Him in prayer and the Word, our steps can be established and ordered according to His purposes. We simply need to walk in willing obedience.
What if we feel like our steps are not ordered?
While God promises to order the steps of those who follow Him, we may still sometimes feel lost or unsure of what direction to take. Here are some things to remember when you feel like your steps are not ordered:
- Check your heart – Are you still delighting in the Lord or have other desires taken priority? Confess any sin that is separating you from God’s path.
- Be patient – God’s timing is perfect. Wait on the Lord and continue to seek Him.
- Take steps of obedience you do know – Obey God’s moral commands given in Scripture while waiting for direction.
- Seek wise counsel – Ask mature believers for biblical guidance about your situation.
- Consider your circumstances – God often directs through open or closed doors. Is there opportunity or obstacles?
- Renew your mind in the Word – Immersing yourself in Scripture renews your thinking and discernment.
- Trust God’s sovereignty – Submit to God’s plan, trusting that He orders your steps for good.
No matter how lost we feel, God promises to guide and establish the steps of those who wait on Him, seek Him wholeheartedly, and take steps of obedience. He will direct your path as you rely on Him.
Why does God order our steps?
Why does God bother to order and establish the steps of those who follow Him? Here are a few key reasons:
- For His glory – All things were created for God’s glory and pleasure, including our lives. As we walk in His will, it honors and glorifies Him.
- For our good – God’s plans for us are always for our good and well-being, even when we don’t understand. His way is perfect.
- For the gospel mission – Our steps are ordered so we can carry out His purposes of spreading the gospel and making disciples.
- To teach and refine us – Our walk with God molds our character to be more like Jesus as we follow His lead.
- To reassure us – God directs our steps so we can walk with confidence, peace, and rest in Him.
Truly, God has our very best in mind as He guides our lives. We only need to trust Him fully, obey His Word, and rely on His grace at work within us. He promises to keep us walking on the path of life.
Examples of God ordering steps in the Bible
There are many examples throughout Scripture of God ordering, establishing, and directing the steps of His people. Here are a few key examples:
Abraham
God called Abraham, directing Him to leave his home and go where God would lead him. Abraham obeyed God’s call and his steps were then ordered by God, who led him to the Promised Land (Genesis 12:1-4). His life was marked by responding to God’s directives step by step.
Joseph
Though Joseph faced betrayal and hardship, he trusted God was ordering every situation. “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20). God worked it all for His purposes.
David
David was chosen and anointed by God to be king long before it came to pass. Meanwhile, God ordered His steps, training him to trust and follow the Lord closely, even through years on the run (1 Samuel). God guided Him step by step until placing him on the throne.
Lydia
In Acts 16, Lydia’s heart was opened by God to receive the gospel from Paul and be saved. This was no accident, but evidence of the Lord ordering the steps by which the message of Christ would spread across the earth.
Paul
The apostle Paul saw his entire faith journey as following the Lord’s directives. “But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone” (Galatians 1:15-16).
We could look at the life of any faithful follower of God and see how He sovereignly established their steps according to His purposes. When we walk in obedience to Him, we can trust He is ordering our lives as well.
How should knowing God orders our steps affect our lives?
The reality that God directs the steps of those who follow Him should greatly impact how we think and live. Here are a few key ways this truth can transform our lives:
- We can have great peace and freedom from anxiety – Our steps are in His hands, not our own.
- We should respond with immediate obedience – Knowing He orders our way, we can boldly follow His lead.
- We walk in wisdom by depending fully on His guidance.
- We rest in God’s sovereignty – Even when we can’t see the full picture.
- We can embrace suffering – Knowing God will use all for His purposes.
- We should praise and thank God – For His gracious ordering of our lives.
- We can have confidence in God’s purpose and plan – Even when life feels uncertain.
- We must surrender our will entirely to His – Holding nothing back from His Lordship.
Our lives are not our own – we were bought with a price. Therefore, we no longer live for ourselves but completely unto the Lord who directs our steps according to His glorious and gracious will.
In closing…
Psalm 37:23 contains an incredible promise – God Himself orders and establishes the steps of those who follow Him. This deep truth should give us great comfort and confidence as we walk with the Lord. Our part is simply to delight in Him, obey His Word, trust His guidance, and surrender fully to His will. We can rest assured that our sovereign Shepherd will lead us on the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.