Jeremiah 10:23 - Follow His Steps
Step 1: Pray. Select.
I woke up this morning feeling a bit heavy and anxious about a few life decisions I will have to make that are looming right around the corner. Truthfully, I was plagued by not knowing which direction to go.
I quickly identified I needed to come to God for vision and guidance.
As I pray, I am led to Jeremiah 10:23. When I read the full chapter, God began to guide me back to the fact worrying or trying to get ahead instead of the LORD guiding my footsteps was not an option.
I moved to Step 2.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
Jeremiah 10:23 - O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself;
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
The Way
Is Not In
Who Walks To Direct His Own Steps
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words that stood out, here is the personalized sentence placed upon my heart. Don’t forget, if you are doing this alongside me today, to add your name to your unique sentence:
Jennifer, the way is not in who walks to direct his own steps.
Step 4: Visualize
As I meditated on the Holy Spirit's words this morning, I immediately heard, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Wow! I guess we are coming in hot this morning - LOL).
These direct and unambiguous words Jesus spoke against Peter’s words, as Peter tried to speak against the will of the Father when Jesus tried to tell the disciples he would be killed, cut right to the core.
How many times, out of sheer innocence, do we go against the instructions of God out of trying to do good or what we think is best to protect our friends or loved ones, but at the end of the day, the will of the Father will still stand?
If we understand that the steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD and not himself, it gives incredible weight to our responsibility of ensuring we receive our daily bread through prayer every day.
Truthfully, as much as I would like to say I always trust God, I struggle with this very thing from day to day. I guess you could say I walk a line of one foot in and one foot out on the issue of trusting God will always protect me. I teeter between knowing His will and my will. Not out of a hidden agenda or manipulation but purely out of fleshly fear. When I am operating from a foundation of fear, I start planning my own steps and getting ahead of the will of my Father. Acting in a risk-averse manner just in case things don’t go according to plan. But who’s plan and I talking about? His or mine?
But, if I follow the LORD’s steps and listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, everything will be clear, and I will not be afraid.
Holy Spirit brings something strange to my attention. It happens when I am not focused on the ordered steps of my Father but blindly feel my way out of a situation or life’s uncertainties. My breathing becomes labored. Even thinking about it while I write, it is happening now. I physically feel like I am running on a treadmill to nowhere, yet I keep running to look like I am accomplishing something. So I can say, “Even if I didn’t go anywhere, at least I ran or got a good workout.” Who is that for? God or me?
Holy Spirit quickly reminds me we cannot get into Heaven by our works. Stop running. This mentality is futile. If I live with the mentality of works getting some rewards, what will I do? Eventually, I will run until I can no longer breathe. Until Satan strangles the life out of me and I don’t do anything of true value for the LORD?
Friends, today, the Holy Spirit is trying to tame my flesh to stop teetering with trusting the LORD with my future. He wants to strengthen me in Him and kill the lies to stop speaking against the Father’s will like Peter did in meaning well. Jesus was right in telling Peter to get on the right side and walk with him to his destiny no matter what it looks like ahead.
A question comes to mind, so I move to Step 5.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The words that came to mind were:
Holy Spirit, you genuinely ask me to claim against the wind whenever it howls like a giant and threatens my peaceful existence. What do I say to speak to the threats of the enemy that cause me to fall out of the peaceful will of my Father?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received:
“Be strong and courageous and know the LORD your God is with you. You must memorize Psalms 23:
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Fill your mouth with praise for your Father. Remember and memorize the words in Matthew 17:21:
21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
Do not engage with the enemy using your own words, for they will be futile, as your own footsteps ordered by you. Know the scriptures and use them to clarify the will of your Father.”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
It looks like I have some clear memorization and practice using the word against the spirit of fear or other principalities I may encounter ahead! I am grateful for the Holy Spirit’s guidance this morning to combat the enemy's lies.
Heavenly Father, release me from any anxiety or fear of the future you have ahead for me. Let me stay in your promises of Jeremiah 29:11, for you know the plans you have for me.
Let me trust you implicitly to provide for my every need ahead, and when I feel I get ahead of you, let me speak your word against the turbulent storms that threaten but cannot harm unless it is your will.
Keep me standing firm in your word today, and let me wait on you for every step I take.
In Jesus holy name I pray, Amen!
If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.
Remember to spread hope and share your miracle or testimony HERE. We want to see how God is working in your life!
Conclusion (Take Aways):
Today, the message is clear. God knows what is best so stop teetering on trusting his will.
Use the scriptures to combat any lies of the enemy that do not align with your Father's will.
Memorize scripture since we cannot predict when the storm will come. So be prepared.
Get your daily bread through prayer and stop focusing on the backup plans, which are not needed if you are walking in the steps he has laid out before you.
Most of all, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. So take back your peace today, and know God has great plans ahead for you!
See you soon!
