Since I have been out in the desert, there have been some Bible verses that have really been speaking to my soul. It seems God is teaching me something about the hard ground of people’s hearts and the importance of the life-giving nature of the Lord in a desolate place.

I like to hike on weekends to this peak not far from where I live to unwind and enjoy God’s beautiful backyard before the weather gets too hot.

And on this one particular Saturday afternoon, one verse really came to mind as I was trying to find sure footing on the way down the steep, rocky mountain. Instinctively, I knew to look for sections where there were immovable rocks, rather than trying to put all my weight on shifting pebbles and loose rocks.

And then that’s when God spoke to me.

“. . . he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:2b NIV).

My relationship with the Lord should be as precise and careful as the steps I take in the wilderness where I live. My faith can’t be in my own efforts. To do so means a sudden slip and potential fall. My firm footing in the spirit begins with a trusting relationship with the Lord.

Let’s remember that when our path looks insecure in life, God has a grip on us. He won’t cause our feet to stumble. He upholds us as we continue to step in line with His plan. He leads us safely there.

— Laura J. Bagby