Walking on Level Ground

This week, one of my verses of the day was Psalm 143:10:

“Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit
lead me on level ground.”

It really struck me, as my wife and I have recently been called to Mountain Home, and it is far from a mountain where we live, but it is “level ground” for sure.

We all should seek to do the Lord’s will, and as you can see, David, who wrote this Psalm, asked to be taught. It isn’t automatic. We need to learn. We need to be taught to do the Lord’s will. We all struggle with our own desires and will, but God’s will is always best.

I love the fact that the Spirit is mentioned here, as it is rare to find a specific reference to the Spirit in the Old Testament. It is clear that we need the Spirit’s guidance in our lives. Jesus said the Spirit would come and be a helper, a counselor, and a guide. We need the Spirit of God in this life.

The “level ground” could mean several things. The King James translates it as “land of uprightness.” The Hebrew word carries the idea of level, even, or straight ground. David is asking God’s Spirit to lead him in a straight and secure path, a way of life that is right and pleasing to God.

There is also a wonderful picture here in the idea of walking on level ground. Walking on level ground avoids the hazards of difficult terrain and the challenges they bring. During those times, traveling in the mountains left places for bandits to hide, as well as loose or rocky ground that could give out on you. Anyone traveling in those days looked for the “level ground.”

I hope you will seek to be taught the Lord’s will today, that He is your God, and that you allow the Spirit to guide you to level ground!

God Bless!