Slippery Paths

Here, in the north of England, the autumn rain has come – with a vengeance! Many of our favourite walks include paths that are now extremely muddy and slippery. We have to pick our way along them with care. Rocks still sticking up above the mud are a great help and we often find ourselves reaching out to a branch or bit of fence for extra support.

When Asaf wrote Psalm 73, he realised that he had nearly slipped into serious sin. He had been tempted into ungodly behaviour because he had seen how ‘the wicked prosper’ – how they get away with it. ‘What’s the point’, he had asked himself, ‘of living a godly life, when all it brings is hardship?’ (verses 13-14). He was on a slippery path.

The enemy is so quick, isn’t he, to offer us the easy, but sinful, way out of a difficult situation. As Asaf pondered his circumstances, the right answer became very clear to him: ‘My mind and body may fail; but God is the rock for my mind and my portion forever’ (verse 26).

As I encounter a slippery path in my walk with the Lord, I need to make sure that I keep my feet on the firm Rock – the Lord Himself. And I need to keep a firm grasp on the support of His truth. Depart from those, and I’m liable to fall.

Are you encountering a ‘slippery path’ today in your journey? Listen to Asaf’s testimony (Psalm 73:23-26):

‘Nevertheless, I am always with You; You hold my right hand. You will guide me with your advice; and afterwards, You will receive me with honour. Whom do I have in heaven but You? And with You, I lack nothing on earth. My mind and body may fail; but God is the rock for my mind and my portion forever’.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You hold me by the hand and that You are my Rock when my feet nearly slip. Today, I commit myself to align my life with Your truth and keep my feet on You, my Rock; in the name of Jesus, Amen.