How Does the Bible Say God Will Order My Steps?
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When I think about how God orders my steps, I think of a friend who recently had serious knee problems.
The issue was so severe they needed to use a cane to walk, and they asked me for help. I understood their concern—they had to walk about two blocks in New York City. I stood close to them once they were ready. Then, we locked arms and began walking. I purposefully walked at the same pace. With each step, I supported them to ensure their walk was steady and secure. I looked ahead to see any obstacles we might have to navigate. My presence comforted them. It also gave them confidence and assurance we would reach their destination. You will be happy to know we made it down those city blocks without issues.
When I think about how God orders my steps, it reminds me of the way I helped my friend. God walks with us, helping us navigate this journey we call life.
As he walks with us, his presence comforts us and gives us a sense of security. He also looks for potential pitfalls and guides us away from them. Knowing he is with us gives us confidence and assurance that we will reach our destination. This is what it looks like for God to order your steps.
However, the way God orders our steps equally matters.
Where Does the Phrase "Order My Steps" Appear in the Bible?
You find this phrase, order my steps," in Psalm 119.
"Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me." (Psalm 119:133 KJV)
Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible (it has 176 verses). In fact, it is the longest chapter in the Bible. Therefore, it's tempting to read it quickly without digging into its ideas.
Let's see what we can learn about this psalm and how to apply this truth to our lives.
Do We Know Who Wrote the "Order My Steps" Psalm?
The author of Psalm 119 wrote it in an acrostic style. In Jewish acrostic poems, each line's initial letter spells out a word or a phrase associated with the poem's central theme. The same style appears in other psalms and in other books of the Bible (such as Lamentations). The writers used the Hebrew alphabet to make these poems, and each line begins with the next letter in the alphabet. It would be akin to writing a poem in English with the first line starting with "A," then "B," and so on.
We are not totally sure who wrote Psalm 119. Many credit David as the author of Psalm 119. However, other potential candidates for authorship include Ezra, Jeremiah, and Daniel. Whoever wrote this psalm was familiar with God's word and the role his word should play in our lives.
What Does the Verse Say Will Happen If I Let God's Word Order My Steps?
When you read through this entire psalm, it is clear this author understands the necessity and authority of God's word.
Just about every verse in this psalm addresses God's word in some fashion. When the writer gets to verse 133, he presents another truth regarding God's word. When the word of God orders your steps, sin will not rule in your life. It is impossible for sin to reign in the heart of someone walking according to the word of God.
This is not the first time the psalmist hints at this theme. We also see it earlier in verses like these.
"Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—they do no wrong but follow his ways." (Psalm 119:2-3)
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11)
It has been said that this book (the Bible) will keep you from sin, and sin will keep you from this book. You cannot discount the relationship between right living and the word of God. These two things are intertwined, and you cannot separate them. Those who allow God's word to order their steps will not live in a manner that is displeasing to God.
When God comes alongside you to order your steps, he will direct you by the precepts in the word. This will give you comfort and confidence and keep you on track, helping you avoid the trappings of this life.
How Do I Let God's Word Order My Steps?
If you are ready to say, "Okay, God, order my steps," here are three things you must do.
1. Know What God's Word Says
If the word of God will order your steps, then you must know what the word of God says. Therefore, you must spend time in God's word.
One challenge the body of Christ faces right now is a lack of biblical literacy. One of the primary reasons is that many people don't read the Bible regularly. A 2021 study by the Barna Research Group found that 75 percent of U.S. adults admitted to reading the Bible once per week or less. I am not a rocket scientist, but there is no way you can know God's word well if you read it once per week or less. Imagine how you would fare in these areas if you only did them once per week.
What if you only ate once per week or less?
What if you only exercised once per week?
What if 75 percent of the people on your job only worked once per week? (wait, maybe some do).
All jokes aside, these situations would make you malnourished, unhealthy, and unproductive.
If you say, "God, order my steps in your word," you cannot have a casual relationship with it. That won't cut it. To know what His word says takes time, commitment, and dedication. If you want God's word to order your steps, then there is no substitute for this.
2. Believe What God's Word Says
It is not enough to know what it says. Many people know what the Bible says. The problem is they don't believe it. Clearly, the writer of Psalm 119 believes in God's word.
"The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy." (Psalm 119:139)
"Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them." (Psalm 119:140)
How do you know you believe God's word? The answer leads us to the final way God's word will order your steps.
3 - Do What God's Word Says
As wonderful as it is to know God's word and as necessary as it is to believe God's word, none of that matters if you don't do what it says. This is the proof you believe what God says. It is impossible for God's word to order your steps if you are unwilling to obey it. For so many people, obedience is the difference between God's word ordering their steps and not. If you want God's word to order your steps, then God's word can't be a suggestion. You must surrender to it and change your life to fit God's requirements. This means you cannot be selective in what you will follow. You also cannot disregard the things that don't fit with your life or lifestyle. This is the most challenging aspect of having God order your steps. But all the benefits of this are only possible if you do what his word says.
Final Thought on 'Order My Steps'
Asking God to order my steps is an all-or-nothing proposition. God's word will either order all your steps, or He won't order any of your steps. Nothing less than God ordering everything takes the idea seriously. We must treat God's word like a mandate, not a recommendation. Those who do this will never experience the joy of living according to God's word and will give up the blessing life offers when God orders your steps.
Photo Credit: Unsplash.com/Ben White
This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy-to-read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. We hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in your life today.