I love the old-time hymns– they bring back a lot of precious memories. One of the songs that takes me back to yesteryear is “Stepping in the Light”. Every time I hear it my mind goes back to a little country church way back in the woods in the Ozarks. That song reminds me that life is a journey and the manner in which we walk determines what the outcome will be– direction determines destination. How we are to walk is paramount and must be according to our road map–the Bible, God’s holy Word.
If you want to spend a pleasurable and profitable time in the Bible, search out all the verses where the word “walk” is found–a total of 209 times. Consider the warnings (such as Lev. 26:3,12,21-28); the promises (such as Ps. 84:11); and the instructions. By way of instruction concerning how we ought to walk, we should walk—
— “in the light of the LORD“– Isa. 2:5
— “in newness of life“– Rom. 6:4
— “after the Spirit“– Rom. 8:4; Gal. 5:16
— “honestly“– Rom. 13:13; 1 Thess. 4:12
— “as men“– 1 Cor. 3:3
— “by faith“– 2 Cor. 5:7
— “worthy“– Eph. 4:1
— “in love”— Eph. 5:2
— “as children of light“– Eph. 5:8
— “in wisdom“– Col. 4:5
— “to please God”— 1 Thess. 4:1
— “in truth“– 3 John 1:4
To sum all this up I remind you of Isaiah’s words to Israel: “–This is the way, walk ye in it—“(Isa. 30:21). If we take each step according to God’s guidance our journey will with delight and end in success. That grand old hymn, written by Eliza Hewitt, “Stepping in the Light” says it well:
- Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Trying to follow our Savior and King;
Shaping our lives by His blessed example,
Happy, how happy, the songs that we bring.- Refrain:
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Stepping in the light, stepping in the light,
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Led in paths of light.
- Refrain:
- Pressing more closely to Him Who is leading,
When we are tempted to turn from the way;
Trusting the arm that is strong to defend us,
Happy, how happy, our praises each day. - Walking in footsteps of gentle forbearance,
Footsteps of faithfulness, mercy, and love,
Looking to Him for the grace freely promised,
Happy, how happy, our journey above. - Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior,
Upward, still upward, we follow our Guide;
When we shall see Him, “the King in His beauty,”
Happy, how happy, our place at His side.
