Make My Steps

“Establish my footsteps in [the way of] Your word; Do not let any human weakness have power over me [causing me to be separated from You].” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119.133‬ ‭AMP‬‬

The psalmist, David, has a lot to share in what is known as the longest chapter of the Bible, marked by a time of meditation and prayer. He continues in this verse by asking God to direct his steps — a prayer that many of us can probably relate to.

In the next sentence, David addresses our common enemy to walking in the way of God — sin. I think we sometimes forget, or never even contemplate that the Devil, the enemy, is not our true enemy — sin is. Jesus didn’t come to deliver us from the Devil, Lucifer, Satan, He came to deliver us from sin [which had power or dominion over us].

Here’s the thing about sin: It’s impossible to have it present in our lives while simultaneously having no influence of any kind. In other words, sin anywhere is a threat to righteousness everywhere.

Notice how the King James translation puts it: “Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalms‬ ‭119:133‬ ‭KJV

Sin Always Wants More

Sin is like cancer — it wants to spread and occupy more and more space and life. There is no such thing as an isolated sin in one area of our lives because if given enough time, it will spread and erode everything near it. For example, if I’m tolerating sin in my marriage, it’ll eventually spill over into my work life.

Iniquity can be defined as guilt worthy of punishment. Iniquity is sin at its worst. It’s sin that is premeditated, continuing, and escalating.

Sin is content to have space in our lives as second or third place, but it’s never satisfied until it has first place. Sin is never fulfilled until it has priority and rule or dominion over us.

The idea of spiritual warfare is not limited to the enemy smearing the image of God or attempting to thwart His purposes, but Satan wants the crown of authority on the throne of our hearts. And he accomplishes this through sin. When we commit iniquity by giving into our human weakness, sin takes power or dominion over us.

God’s Plan

By contrast, when we live our lives in the ways of God, directed by His Word, He keeps us from sin by establishing our steps. Sin’s influence and power are not greater than God’s. His power is always greater than our human weakness (2 Corinthians 12.9).

But it’s us that chooses who or what will rule over us, sin or God, by what or who we offer worship to. There’s only one Real One, and His name is Jesus. His power is the antidote for our human weakness that is accessed by our obedience and followship.

Sin always wants to pull us away, separating from the Father — that’s how it gains strength and ground in our lives.

God, lovingly, always wants to pull us closer to Him — that’s how His strength shows up and gains ground in our life. When David says, “establish my footsteps in the way of Your Word,” he’s saying, ‘teach me how to live, Lord. Teach me how to love You and let nothing get in the way.’

We never have to do it alone when God is in the picture.