Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded. My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.
Psalm 17:4–5 NIV
David’s words in this psalm reveal a profound truth about the source of spiritual stability. He faced temptation in a very direct form. People tried to bribe him, to lure him away from integrity and righteousness. Yet, he testifies that he remained steadfast. His strength did not come from personal willpower, discipline, or cleverness. Rather, he was kept from the ways of the violent through obedience to what God had spoken.
David recognised that the power to resist sin and avoid destructive paths lies in the word of God. Listening to and obeying God’s commands preserved him from falling into error and walking the way of the destroyer. This was not about self-reliance; it was about dependence on divine instruction and grace.
He describes his life as one whose steps are firmly placed in God’s paths. This imagery paints the picture of a follower walking carefully in the tracks of One who has already gone ahead, ensuring stability with each step. Because his steps aligned with God’s, his feet did not slip.
The New Testament confirms this pattern for every believer. We are to follow in the steps of Christ, who has gone before us and left an example for us to follow (1 Peter 2:21). His life is our blueprint, not only in character but also in endurance through trials. Walking in Christ’s steps does not remove hardship; instead, it secures our footing on the path that leads to life and victory.
Because Jesus has already overcome, we face challenges from the place of His triumph. We do not fight as victims, but as those who are “more than conquerors” through Him. The blood of the Lamb and the truth of God’s word sustain us, enabling us to press forward without stumbling.
This is the invitation before us: to embrace what God had spoken so deeply that it shapes our steps, guards our hearts, and keeps us steady. When we follow Christ’s example, the path may be narrow and at times difficult, but it will always lead us to life.
Living It Out
Make a conscious commitment to anchor your life in God’s word each day. Let Scripture be more than something you read; let it be the path you walk. When temptation or pressure comes, remember that victory does not depend on your own strength but on Christ’s example and His victory already won. Pray today, “Lord, keep my steps in Your path, and let my feet never stumble.”