“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

There are many ways to handle an overwhelming task. We may keep putting it off, hoping that God will miraculously take care of it. Or we can take the first step in the right direction.

Last week, I talked about the twelve spies that went to scout out Canaan in a devotional called “Facing Giants.” Unfortunately for the Isrealites, their distrust and fears of taking action cost them 40 years in the wilderness. When it came time to take possession of the land God promised a couple generations later, they were  met with another obstacle — A king named Sihon who stood between the Israelites and the land of Canaan. God’s command was, “Begin to possess it, and engage him in battle” (Deuteronomy 2:24). God certainly could have eliminated Sihon without anyone’s help, but He commanded His people to take the first step. And this time, they listened! 

The same is often true with us. Difficult circumstances or broken relationships seem to defy solution. When they persist for months or years, we may feel that nothing we do will make a difference. But the Lord says, “Begin.” We must make the first move — speak a kind word, ask forgiveness, pay some of what we owe. We must be the initiators.

Joy lies not only in attaining some distant goal but also in walking with our loving God, who says, “I have begun to give . . . . Begin to possess it” (Dt. 2:31).

Is there a first step you should take today?