Standing Tall

Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.

Psalm 119:165

God has written his law on our hearts—encoded it in our DNA. It is not imposed on us. It is built into us. “I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments” (Psalm 119:45). God’s law fits us. We are at home there. There we find contentment, rest, pleasure. “Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found” (Psalm 119:35).

When we embrace God’s Word and make it our compass, we discover a steadiness and balance that keep us upright even when we are walking treacherous paths. Our steps are sure no matter what. “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand” (Psalm 37:23-24).

Life is littered with stumbling blocks. Troubled relationships, disappointing circumstances, illness, financial setbacks . . . the list is inexhaustible. God’s promise is that none of these will make you fall utterly, without hope of getting up. He does not promise that none of life’s difficulties will touch you but that none of them will destroy you. When you are finding your footing in God’s law, you are indestructible.

Outward circumstances will never be static or even. Turbulence will always find you eventually. Sorrow will certainly make its appearance in your life, sometimes many times. People will disappoint you. But you don’t have to be sucked in to the vortex of life’s chaos. You can stand tall and strong when all around you the storms of life roil and rage. Your stability is anchored in God and his ways. You carry your peace inside you, where the stuff of life has no access.

Are circumstances in your life pummeling you and threatening to overwhelm you? Turn your attention to that inward place where the Lawgiver and his law stand strong. Nothing can destroy you.

Father, thank you for not leaving me at the mercy of circumstances. Thank you for giving me your law so that I can find traction even when the way is slippery.

Those that love the world have great vexation, for it does not answer their expectation; those that love God’s word have great peace, for it outdoes their expectation, and in it they have sure footing.

Matthew Henry(1662–1714), English pastor and Bible commentator