February 26, 2025 Devo

In the summer of 2005, I got to spend two weeks hiking in Alaska. It was absolutely one of the most fabulous experiences of my life. Each day I would pull out my trail map and tackle a mountain trail that was classified as strenuous or most difficult. Some days it took me a full 10-12 hours to get to the top and back down again. The exhilaration of the hiking, coupled with the breathtaking beauty of the mountains and the wildlife made it a dream come true.
While I was there, I heard about another hiker who had tackled a difficult peak but lingered too long. As he started down, it got dark. Instead of just camping under a tree, he tried to find his way down in the dark. While talking to a friend on his cell phone, he stepped off a ledge and fell several hundred feet to his death. Mountains are beautiful, but they are also dangerous. You have to watch your step.
David points out in our passage today that we live in a treacherous world. There are lots of ways we can step off a ledge and cause ourselves a lot of damage. Like making major decisions without praying and seeking the Lord for wisdom. Or like deciding to hang out with people who we know don’t share our values and faith and engage in activities or behavior that we know isn’t pleasing to God. Or like deciding we know what’s best for ourselves and that we will follow our own path rather than the one God is showing us. Sometimes in our ignorance, we’re like the hiker who thinks they can navigate a mountain in the dark. We make bad decisions. We suffer the consequences of costly mistakes. We walk away from the blessing of God and open our lives up to all kinds of pain and sorrow.
David reminds us that when we stay close to God, He makes us “surefooted.” Like a deer who can navigate the most narrow of mountain passageways. That’s why one of the prayers I often pray is that God will help me to CLING to Him throughout the day. God loves us and He wants to not only enjoy this journey of life, but He also wants us to help keep us away from the dangers and pitfalls. Don’t try to hike this treacherous world all by yourself. Cling to the Lord. Let Him make your feet like the feet of a deer. One good decision can help you avoid a long slide of pain and destruction. Trust the Lord. And be careful where you step. That’s God’s Word for you today.