HOLD UP MY GOINGS IN THY PATHS .

 

EVENING DEVOTIONS by James Smith 

JANUARY 14

 

Psalm 17:5

Hold up my goings in thy paths,

that my footsteps slip not.

 
Failures, follies, and mistakes, should lead us to our forgiving God; 

   and teach us the necessity of close walking with God. 

We need to be constantly upheld by divine power, and to be guided by divine wisdom.
 
We are prone to start aside as a broken bow.
 
Many have fallen into sin; many do fall; we are as much exposed to temptations as they were, and are as liable to be overcome. 

Satan is watchful, temptations are powerful, and our hearts are weak.
 
Let us therefore cry to the Strong One for strength, and let it be our daily prayer,

      “Hold up my goings in thy paths.”
 
In every duty, as well as in every trial; in the calm, as well as in the storm; 

we need to be upheld: for unless the Lord uphold us, we shall fall into presumption, or despair; into self-righteousness; into open in, or secret backsliding.
 
We are never safe, but as the Lord keeps us; and he keeps teaching us our weakness, our proneness to wander, and by leading us to walk softly before him in faith, and humility of mind.
 
Beloved, if you are not daily seeking divine protection, you are in danger of being overcome.
 
Examine.
 
Watch.
 
Pray
 

Now. Holy Spirit, to my heart,

Wisdom and holiness impart;

Uphold me by thy mighty power,

In every dark or dangerous hour.

 
James Smith