Monday was a complete disaster—or so I thought. Nothing went as planned. I had completed my “to-do” list. I had schedule appointments and blocked time for writing, hitting the gym and shopping for dinner.
Sleep came fast Sunday night. It’s probably because I had written down everything on my mind that I needed to do. Then, around 2:30 in the morning I awoke. Usually, when this happens I get a drink of water, make a bathroom stop and head back to bed where I fall right to sleep. Not this night. I stayed wide-awake from 2:45 until 6:00 in the morning.
With each passing hour that I didn’t sleep, I became more anxious. The things I needed to accomplish the next day felt urgent. This frustrated me because I knew without sleep my day would be ruined.
I slept in the next morning due to lost sleep. I awoke upset and aggravated. I was way past urgent at this point. My anxiety was off the chart. Just when I was about to throw in the towel, this truth came to mind.
The Lord orders my steps. He is in control of today. Nothing can thwart his plans.
That truth brought immediate peace to my heart because I believed it to be true. God does order my steps. And at the end of the day no matter how urgent things seem God’s plans are the only plans that really matter.
In Psalms 133: 119: David asks God to, “Order my steps in your word.”
In this verse, David is asking God to guide him as he walks though life, dodging deadly pitfalls and learning to trust in God. He invites God to steer him in the right direction, to lay a clear path before him.
But it’s interesting how he puts it: ORDER my steps, he says.
How do we allow God to order our steps?
First of all, if we want the Lord to order our steps, you must have faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”
Secondly, we must be in daily prayer. In Jeremiah 33:3, the LORD says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
Thirdly if we want our steps ordered by the Lord, we must believe He will. Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delights in his way.”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11.
I have no idea what pitfalls God allowed me to overstep on Monday. What I do know is He ordered my day. What I accomplished was on His list not mine. And I was at peace with that.
I’m learning to stop following the urgency in my life and follow God instead. When you and I allow God to order our steps, we experience peace, joy and power. Plus, an adventure we could have never planned or imagined.
What seems urgent in your life today?
Do you need to ask God to order your steps?
Too many times have I tried to go it my own way. When that happens, more often than not, the days aren’t as bright, the good not as wonderful as we think it is and I’m left feeling just okay (if not anxious and worn). Since our daughter passed, I’ve tried to let Him lead me and guide me. When I do, oh what a glory it is. His plan, even if it includes tragedy, is ALWAYS perfect. When we learn to get out of our way and let Him “order our steps”, He always provides. Blessings to you for a great word today!
Good Morning Micca, Thank You for todays devotion, I awoke prayed, read my devotional, and then I began my mental to do list, well I saw your email and read it….before I completed my to do list……And thank you I am trusting God with my day and asking Him to “order my steps “…..Blessed
Sending Hugs and Prayers, and again many thanks for always encouraging, taking time from your family to help us all. Anna
This is an amazing message! I have been diagnosed with having anxiety! I will fester over my to-do list, financial struggles, health, etc. until I am physically sick. I have this idea that I can do all and everything. Once I finally let go and truly believe God is in control, that’s when I will experience peace and joy. I’m just having so much trouble letting go and stop trying to fix and do everything.
Micca, just got to my email and after reading your post, I smiled. I had the day out of work today and had many things I needed to get done. On my way, I prayed for the strength to do it all and added if it’s Your plan for me today…well with few issues, I completed almost everything and driving home tonight thanked Him! Feeling blessed and praising God for our plans were definitely in sync. While I know that all days will not be exactly like today, I am always trusting in Him to “Order my steps”. Thanks for being His messenger to me tonight! God bless!
Thanks for this much needed reminder. I often forget to let go and let God, but when I do, life is exponentially better. Praying I will make it a priority each night and each morning to ask God to order my steps, no matter how frantic and busy things seem.
Praying God blesses you today!
Micca, thank you so much for your post to my mailbox on Sept. 4th. Yes, I am just reading it now lol. It reminded me of how God’s love for us is so enormous and vast it is incredibly difficult for even a believer like myself to wrap my brain around it. This is a difficult year for our family yet I continue to praise Him and trust His faithfulness. I know and believe with all of my heart He has a purpose for these hardships and when He sees us through as He always has in the past I will look back and say Praise you Lord for teaching us all of Your infinite wisdom and grace and carrying us through.
May God bless you today and always! Thank you for being His conduit!
Hello,am really blessed by your message,its truly inspiring.Learning to trust God in everything and for all things is truly the life style of every child of God.When He takes care of everything,the end is always peaceful.To God be all the glory.God bless you
Thank You!