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Have you ever tried asking an audience to sing their favorite song all at the same time? It will sound like a mishmash of a sound. How about asking them all to talk to each other out loud at the same time. You will only catch a line here and there of their conversations. Now, if we choose a song that everyone knows and ask them to sing, how will it sound? Hopefully in unison. Now, if we ask the audience to speak one person at the time, we will hear “ORDER”.

Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem having a pattern of the 22 letters of the Hebrew Alphabet and is followed by 8 verses. Psalm 119:129-136 falls under the seventeenth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet PE (rhymes with “pay”). The letter “Pe” symbolizes speech and communication, reflecting the transformative power of G-d’s Words. This structure emphasizes the completeness and order of G-d’s Word and is a hymnal full of praise and worship that magnifies and extols the Word of G-d.

In this blog, I want to focus on verse 133. "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me."

When we ask the L-RD to order our steps, it’s a prayer for moral and spiritual order. To achieve this, we must constantly stay aligned with the Word of G-d.

  • G-d is a G-d of Order – (“For G-d is not a G-d of confusion but of peace.”) 1 Corinthians 14:33.
  • G-d brings order into creation (“In the beginning G-d created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of G-d was hovering over the waters. And G-d said “Let there be light,” and there was light.”) – Genesis 1:2-3.

We see that G-d was “intentional” and spoke the Word. We must also be intentional, have structure in our lives and seek G-d’s Face for the purpose that He has for each of us.

When we have order:

  • It helps us to walk in His righteousness and strengthens our relationship with Him. Without order, we can fall into spiritual chaos, get distracted and wind up compromising which can lead to sin.
  • It helps to protect us from sin that can dominate our hearts. It’s important to work on having spiritual disciplines (Prayer, Scripture reading and Worship). We must be intentional about setting aside time to cultivate these disciplines. They just don’t happen by itself.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” - Matthew 6:33

  • A believer steps are ordered when their life and heart stays in tune with G-d, like an instrument tuned to the right key.
  • When G-d orders our steps, it brings us peace. We can have peace even in the midst of outside chaos.

“Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” - Psalm 119:165

  • Having our steps ordered helps us to fulfill our calling. G-d gives each believer time, gifts and responsibilities. Order helps us to steward them wisely. Disorder living leads to missed opportunities and wasted time.
  • Having our steps ordered reflects G-d’s wisdom and character to others. When we live with peace, purpose and discipline, we are showing the world the hope that they can also have.

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father...” - Matthew 5:16

  • Not having your steps ordered by G-d can lead to Disorder which invites confusion, sin and distance from G-d.

Remember, when we pray and ask G-d to “Order our Steps” in His Word, it will:

  • Reflect G-d’s nature;
  • Protect from sin by being intentional and disciplined to live a godly life;
  • Strengthens our spiritual health;
  • Creates space for us to have peace and joy;
  • Enables us to live faithfully for Him; and,
  • Become a powerful witness to others.

Order is not the goal—G-d is. But order is a tool that helps us remain rooted in Him and faithful to what He’s called us to do.

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