(Psalms 18:36) “Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.”

In Part Four of this series (which covers Psalms 18:32-45), we continue with David’s comments. These verses give a detailed list of God’s actions of deliverance for His children. In this devotion, looking at Psalms 18:36; note the verb, “enlarged.” The verbs in (Psalms 18:32-45) reveal the action of God (Hebrew word is “EL” – which points to Jehovah as “Almighty”; see Strong’s # 410). The preeminence of these verbs is that the action originates with and is performed by God, and not man. David had no problem in giving God the honor and praise for God being the Origin and Performer of actions to him and through him. This must be mentioned because the world today tries to give honor and praise to the believer for his success based upon the believer’s obedience, or upon the believer’s own merit; whether it be his intelligence, his own good works, or because the believer willed it so.

Now to this fourth devotion. David continues to manifest the Actions of God to the believers using pronouns and verbs. “He” being God, and the following verbs revealing God’s action in and upon the believer: “thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.”

Note the following phrases of David:

1. “Thou hast enlarged my steps under me,”

The Hebrew word translated “enlarged” means to “broaden; to make room; or make wide.” This means that God had given David deliverance from his enemies by making a way for him to be Victorious over his enemies. This may reference God granting wisdom to David in the Plan to win and how to implement the strategy of Victory; in other words, the battle plan was revealed to David clearly. But, not only the Plan of Victory must be given by God to David – but, God had to grant to David the Power to carry out God’s plan of Victory over the enemy.

It is the same today for the child of God. God must give the believer the Plan; and God has given the Plan in the Written Word of God of exactly how to defeat the enemies of the Cross.

The Plan of God for Victory over all enemies of God is as follows:

1. The soldier in God’s Army must know that God chose and called him to be a soldier (1 Jn. 5:20; 2 Tim. 1:7-10)
2. The soldier in God’s Army must be clothed with the Armor of War designed by God (Eph. 6:11-18; 2 Cor. 10:3-5)
3. The soldier in God’s Army must know and identify the enemy; which will explain the enemy’s plan of attack (Eph. 6:10), and which weapon he will use (lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and the pride of life)
4. The soldier in God’s Army cannot be double-minded; but, must be single eyed to his Commander (2 Tim. 2:4-5; Jas. 1:7-8)
5. The soldier in God’s Army must be prepared to endure unto the end (1 Cor. 15:58; 1 Thess. 5:14-24; 2 Tim. 4:7-8)
6. The soldier in God’s Army must be knowledgeable of God’s instructions of spiritual warfare (2 Tim. 2:15). He must study the plan, and not be a novice in the use thereof.
7. Last but not least, the soldier in God’s Army must be: Surrendered to the Sovereignty God; that is, know He is God, that God is in Control of all things; and know that He has already won the victory. Next, the soldier must be Submitted to the Will of God; that is, know who you are in Christ, know that God’s Plan must be followed if victory is to be the result. Thirdly, the soldier must Obey the Word of God; that is, do whatever God says do – what, when, where and how. The fourth thing is the soldier must Endure unto the End in all the above; be steadfast and faithful to the very end.

2. “that my feet did not slip.”

Sometimes the believer feels that he is about to be defeated in the battle because he begins to walk by sight and not by faith alone. David said his feet, or his steps, were well nigh slipped, (Psa. 73:2) “but as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.” Sometimes the battle gets long, and the soldier gets weary and is tempted to give up. Yes, sometimes the soldier of Christ does stumble and fall; but, praise God, the saint has not, and shall never, perish eternally (Rom. 8:31-39) (Pro. 24:16) “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” The Sheep’s security is in the Shepherd (Ps. 23:1-6; Jn. 10:1-31); the soldier’s security is in Plan and Power of the Commander, Jesus Christ; proven by Christ’s resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:4). Christ won the Victory and is within the veil (Heb. 6:7-20; 1 Jn. 5:4).

The foundation on which the soldier stands is the Rock, Christ Jesus; on His Blood Atonement and His Righteousness and His Resurrection from the dead. The song writer wrote, ‘On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Therefore, the soldier will not and cannot finally fail; for his Victory is in Christ, Who declared Himself to have all power in heaven and on earth (Mt. 28:18). There is none like Him – for the Commander in Chief is alive, and is on His Throne of Glory, and is in control of the Battle; for He has already defeated the devil on the Cross (Heb. 2:14).

Soldier, look up, fasten your eyes on the Commander in Chief, Jesus Christ, and follow Him. And you too shall taste of the Victory of the Lamb over the flesh, sin. and the world.