I can remember my mother looking me squarely in the eyes (as I was leaving her to go to Sunday School class) and saying, “Be a good boy today.” Oh man! The pressure that placed on a small boy! I can remember praying, asking God to help me be a good boy. My mom was almost asking for the impossible. After all, there were all kinds of things to explore in my Sunday School room, and there were other boys in my class that I needed to play with, and girls to tease. I can remember having the best intentions as I left go of my mother’s hand to enter my class. I had the best intentions, but many times it did not end as well as I had hoped.
To this day, I hear my mother saying to me as I face different situations; “Be a good boy today.” I can honestly tell you that I try to be a “good boy” every day I live. Some days I feel like I have succeeded … other days, I remember the frustration of having a good plan, but failing. I do know one thing that was the same when I was a boy as it is today for me as an old(er) man. The Bible is the key to my success or failure. Or should I say, my obedience to the Word of God is the key to my success or failure. The Bible has served as a guide for me throughout my life, and it continues to do that for me today.
Today I read some of my favorite verses: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed” (Psalm 37:23-26). I am typing this with a smile on my face. This is an incredible promise from our Heavenly Father! If I will allow the Lord to order my steps (through His Word – through good preaching/teaching – through advice from trusted, godly counselors), I will be delighted.
My goal today is to be that “good man” whose steps can be ordered by the Lord. We do not get this promise simply because we are Christians; we must continually be looking for the leading of the Lord. I was sharing with a younger man this past week about the reality of the latter verses in this passage. Terry and I have seen God provide for us in the most unusual ways, but always within His timing. We can testify that we were one time young, and now we are older … but we have never known a time when the Lord left us alone! What great promises are found in these verses. Today, God is wanting us to be “good” men and women that He can provide for and bless. Will you and I walk in the steps He leads us in? I will try!