How to get ready for the walk that pleases God and helps us most
By Dean Collins
The importance of taking walks is hard to quantify. Humans have walked since God breathed life into Adam. And over the centuries and millennia, we have walked for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, we walk because it is a primary method of going from here to there. We lift heavy objects by the strength of our legs. And does anyone remember that before remote controls we used our legs to change the channel or to place another vinyl record on the stereo? Walking was and is a vital part of getting around.
Doctors tell us walking is good for us. The suggestion for how many steps seems to change from time to time, but almost everyone agrees we need to take a few thousand steps a day for our heart health. Mental health experts tell us that walking, especially in fresh air and sunshine, might lighten our mood and help reduce stress. In old age, we may need the assistance of canes or walkers, yet the benefits of walking continue well into our advanced years.
Walking with God
And the Scriptures teach us about walking, too. The Bible is filled with instructions about where we should and shouldn’t walk, who we should and shouldn’t walk with, and several examples of the types of terrain and challenges we will encounter as we journey through life.
Psalm 1 opens by telling us that our lives will be blessed when we do not walk in the counsel of the wicked. The alternative to listening to and abiding in unwise counsel is to receive our guidance from the riches of God’s Word.
Walking while troubled
In Psalm 138 we find that the psalmist was walking in the midst of trouble and God preserved his life. All too often our lazy or preferred theology suggests that if we follow Jesus, our life should be free of challenges and enemy attacks. God does promise to walk every step with us, but he does not guarantee we will walk without trouble. The psalmist, along with Jesus himself, tells us that in this life there will be many troubles. But by the power of God’s Spirit in us, along with the goodness and mercy of God, we will walk through our troubles and into the victory, even the presence of God.
It is worthwhile to consider that the psalmist, toward the end of Psalm 138, says his current walk is in the midst of trouble. Note that while walking in the midst of trouble, the writer takes several important actions that allow him to remain confident that God will still accomplish his divine purpose in his life. How is this possible?
Getting ready for the walk
Psalm 138 opens with: “I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart.” We can walk through trouble when we begin each journey with gratitude. There may be trouble ahead, but a mind that remembers all that God has done for us and given us helps us remember that we are never alone on our journey, even and especially when we navigate various troubles. In Psalm 23, David reminded us that when we consider all of God’s goodness and provision, we can even walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil.
The example of the psalmist also shows us that worship is the next step of preparation for each day’s journey: “Before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”
There will be days, maybe many of them, when trouble, danger, and difficulty wait for us around the next turn. The instruction and example of this psalm are consistent with the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Paul’s words in Colossians sum up our journey well. When we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, we fully please him. Walking in the Spirit brings strength that comes from God himself. Equipped by God’s Spirit, we can walk through any and every situation confidently, knowing we have been transferred into the kingdom of God and therefore can withstand every challenge that comes on this side of eternity.
Lord, today before we walk out the door and into the opportunities that lie ahead, we bow in gratitude for who you are and for how you have allowed us access to your grace and mercy because of the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. We praise you for your goodness and your steadfast love. We choose to walk in and by the power of your Holy Spirit , trusting fully in you to give us everything we need to face the challenges and receive the blessings you have in store for us today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 138:1-8; 1:1-2; 23:4; Colossians 1:10-14 ESV
Photo by David Werbrouck on Unsplash
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