Ewald Schmidt

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. Psalm 18:32-33 (NIV)

The journey of life is not always easy. Every pilgrim knows challenging times, where we are tested and proven to our limits. It is in the challenging times of life that we discover who we truly are. It is in these times of struggle that we get to know the depth of God’s mercy in our lives. The circumstances of life might sometimes feel overwhelming. We might feel vulnerable, exposed to the dangers of life. David discovered that God has prepared him for these times. He is not weak, for God has armed him with strength. Many years later the apostle Paul would remind us of the armour provided for our spiritual battle in Ephesians 6:10-20. The first of these is the belt of truth. People wore long, flowing robes against the heat in the desert, keeping them cool. But those robes could become dangerous when fighting a battle, entangling the soldier wearing it. Truth is the belt keeping everything together, protecting us from the lies of this world. This is the image David uses: God arms us with strength, keeping our lives together even in very difficult times.

David had experienced that it is God who kept his way secure. God protected him from all the dangers along the way. God has given him strength to keep on going on the journey of life. The Lord also keeps my way secure… he protects me and helps me reach my destination.

The route that our journey of life follows, might be fraught with danger. We have encountered the heights along the way in Psalm 121. The heights are places of challenge, places where our faith is tested and proven. It takes a lot of courage and determination to reach the top of the mountain passes along our way. The road leading to the top is not always even and smooth, it might be slippery and full of rocks. But the Lord makes our feet like the feet of deer - we will be sure-footed and steady in dangerous places. He causes me to stand tall on top of the heights - I will not look down and fear the drops, I will look up and see the majesty of all he has created around me. Standing on top of mountains tends to put my life into the right perspective! May God also help you to keep your life together with his strength! May your feet walk securely, and may your eyes see great things on top of the heights!

Prayer: Lord, there are times in my life when my journey is uncertain, and there are things along the way that scare me. Arm me with your strength, to keep my life together in these trying times. Keep my feet firmly on the ground, secure like those of a deer. Help me not to falter when I see dangerous cliffs on the high places, open my eyes to see the majesty of all you have created around me when I do have the opportunity to see. Amen.