FOOTPRINTS

King Saul was a man who outwardly “looked the part” of a leader; a man who could judge his people wisely, lead their going out and their coming in, and fight their battles whenever necessary (1 Samuel 8:20).  He looked great - he was handsome, tall - and for a while made the people feel secure. But Saul was man’s choice, not God’s choice.  Israel wanted to be like other nations and have a king; she was too impatient to wait for God’s appointed leader so the Lord gave them Saul, a man-pleaser; a man who walked by sight and not by faith; a man who would twist the Word of the Lord if he thought it would profit him in any way. And, as time went on, the footprints Saul left “in the sand” became more and more confusing because he lacked qualifications for the job - dedication to God, Godly wisdom and integrity.  Saul surrounded himself with strong soldiers (1 Samuel 14:52), hand-picked by what his natural eyes saw.  The problem was, Saul “went for the best” but sadly it was “in the flesh.”

What a difference when David, God’s true appointed leader came into his calling and left footprints that were honouring to the LORD because he was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). God is always looking for people who have “fat hearts and thin heads!”  - people whose hearts He can shape and mould by His hand; people who will walk according to His plan, leaving footprints that lead others to Jesus.

·         Do we know where we’re going?

·         Are our footprints imbedded on the Calvary Road?

·         If our footprints were being recorded on a graph, would they show a consistency in our walk?

The mind and the flesh will always be critical of the spirit.  King Saul did his very best to eradicate David’s footprints “in the Spirit” but the LORD will always prevail; He will always back up His man!  King David himself said:  

"The steps (which leave footprints) of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives." (Psalm 37:23 - NLT).

If we stay close to the Lord, our footprints will be directly linked to His.  But if we follow at a distance, our footprints will stand alone.  

~ Joan Emery