Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Psalm 119:133
What kinds of things do you find hard to resist? Something sweet, a shoe shop, the latest version of the phone you’ve only had for three months? Maybe something less materialistic – a long walk on a good day, a duvet day with your favourite movies, a luxurious spa treatment with relaxation the order of the day? We all have our weaknesses and a little indulgence isn’t wrong, is it? We certainly wouldn’t class it as ‘iniquity’, would we?
The two words that stood out for me in today’s verse were ‘steady’ and ‘dominion’ because they both speak to a level of influence. Asking God to keep our steps steady, comes from an awareness of how easy it is to either fall behind or run on ahead – attracted, or distracted, by something we just can’t resist. This is more than a fleeting glance; this is a prolonged satiation, allowing something to dominate our thoughts, or our time, or our behaviour.
My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. Psalm 17:5
In order to keep in step with the Lord, the apostle Paul reminds us (Romans 6:11-12) that we must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. This means that sin doesn’t get to have the dominion it craves – making us obey its passions – instead, we gravitate toward the things that God is passionate about. In fulfilling His desires, we hold fast to the path with steady steps, enjoying every good gift that he has given.
Father, give me strength in my weakness, wisdom in my folly, and let my overindulgence be only in you. Amen.
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