2001-11-21 - A Prayer of David

Encore 96-06-04

Psalm 119:133 Keep steady my steps in your Promise, and let not any iniquity get dominion over me.

Observe that we have a prayer before us here. This is not the musing of David, but rather the prayer of David. "Keep steady:" Here we have the idea of setting straight, firmly establishing, but the Hebrew really says "keep steady." David was not looking for the random life of, "do as you like". Rather he wished to be governed in all things to the superior and perfect rule of God. It is as if he is asking for the grace to stay steady in the will of the Lord. David, the king, is asking for help from the King of Kings.

Now the next words in the text, "my steps"; note the detail in his request. It is in the minutiae, his steps. David is specific in his request. He does not ask that his journey be kept steady, but rather his very steps. In this we have an example laid before us. The important aspects of holiness lie in the little things. It is the microscopic areas of life that we deal with. Those who will tolerate sin in what they think to be little things, will soon indulge in greater sins. To live by the hour and to watch each step is the true pilgrimage of the Christian. This brief prayer, "keep steady my steps" teaches us to pay attention to the little things in life; may we have the grace to learn our lesson.

"Keep steady my steps in your promise" Notice that it is not by the promise or according to the promise, but "in" your promise. What is this promise? Why, it is the Word of God. The Psalmist looks upon the Word of God as being the very path of his life. He prays that he may keep his steps upon the King's highway. May we never be out of step of the Kings highway.

"And let not any iniquity get dominion over me." Notice that in the negativ,e the expression is weaker than the first. The priority is in the first part of the verse. This line is simply a follow up of the first expression. His prayer is that if in fact he does slip, let it be but a slip and may he quickly recover from his failing.

Some practical implications:

1. A holy life is not a work of chance. It is the very process of "keeping steady."
   
2. The way of keeping steady is by keeping our way according to the promise, or the Word of God.
   
3. It is to the Lord Himself that we look, to keep steady our steps. Note that David does not look to himself to keep his way steady, but rather he is praying to the Lord for assistance.

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

 tim@cfdevotionals.org
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