As I worked from my home office, something outside caught the corner of my eye. I grabbed my glasses to get a better look and saw a beautiful red fox crossing my front yard. As I watched it travel, I noticed that there was something terribly wrong. I could see that its right front leg had been very badly hurt. So much so, that the bottom half was just dangling, and I noticed a long white bone protruding from the top part of its leg. I do not know what caused this terrible loss, but I do know that it affected the fox’s mobility. As I continued to keep an eye on the fox as it found rest in my back yard, it would drink from the brook and just wade in the cool water for a while, and then lie down on the grassy bank, licking his wounds for a while. Then, it took a nap. About an hour later, it had continued on its journey, limping as it traveled, leg still hanging and no doubt in great pain.
The title of this article speaks of the strength and confidence one will have when he walks or lives as God directs. The whole idea of a foot “being taken” is the very real probability of being led astray or off course from the safety of God’s way to the dangers of the devil’s way (the way of the world). Just a few verses prior to our title verse, the Proverb writer said: “The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble” (Proverbs 3:19-21). Sound wisdom and discretion can only be gained through God’s holy Word.
Consider the following wise passages:
Jeremiah 10:23 – “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”
Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Psalm 37:23-24 – “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.”
Left to ourselves, we are as vulnerable as a fox walking (or wandering) about, believing to be sly and untouchable, only to realize a tragedy that causes us to limp and stager through life! God desires to direct our steps, but His love for us causes Him to allow us to make the decision to walk in the way of safety or hobble through life our own way. I am not sure what became of the red fox that crossed my yard. I know that the injury it had could not be fixed. The fox would have to learn how to walk, run and survive with only three legs.
Let God direct your steps. Light your pathway by His Word (Psalm 119:105). Allow God to be your confidence, and “keep thy foot from being taken.”
