Deuteronomy 5:33 Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your GOD hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess. [King James translation]
Psalm 119:105 Your WORD is a lamp to my feed and a light for my path. [New International translation]
Summary
The Israelites were people who walked. Walking was the most common way to get from one place to another. As a walking people, the Israelites understood the meaning of a “path.” A path was an area that had already been cleared away and usually the safest and easiest way to reach a destination. A path was generally free from tripping hazards, like stones or wild vines, because the feet of frequent travelers had already made the path smooth. At night, it was important to stay on the path. Wandering off could cause a person to end up in a ditch or worse. Getting distracted or wandering off the “beaten path” could be dangerous. A person could literally walk off a cliff, if they did not stay on the path. So, understanding the importance of “staying on the path,” Moses uses the everyday task of walking to describe the people’s spiritual journey and relationship with GOD.
In Deuteronomy 5:32, Moses cautions the people to not turn to the right or to the left, but instead to “stay focused” and to stay on the spiritual path of obeying GOD’s laws and direction. Moses probably wanted to remind the people of their wilderness years when GOD “went before the people” by day “in a pillar of a cloud” and by night “in a pillar of fire,” as the people walked in the wilderness. (Exodus 13:22.) The people could not see the path, but GOD could. They had to rely, by faith, on GOD. In Deuteronomy 5:33, Moses tells the people that when they follow GOD’s WORD and ways, it is the best path, leading to long [everlasting] life and spiritual well-being.
Psalms 119, the longest psalm of all the psalms and the longest chapter in the Bible, reiterates Moses’ instructions. In Hebrew the opening words of this psalm are” Ashrei temimei derech” (“happy are those whose way is perfect”) or “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walks in the law of THE LORD.” (See, Palms 119: 1, King James translation.)
Our Physical Walk
More Americans are walking. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) more than 145 million adults are choosing walking as part of a physically active lifestyle. Walking is generally free, requires no special equipment and can be done inside as well as outside.
According to the CDC, adults need two types of physical exercise—muscle strengthening and aerobic. Aerobic makes you breathe harder and makes your blood vessels healthier. Walking briskly can satisfy the aerobic need for physical exercise. The CDC notes that by just walking 2 hours and 30 minutes a week (which can be broken down into just five 30-minute walks a week), helps a person meet the Physical Activity Guidelines and gain greater physical health. See, www.cdc.gov/features/walking-counts. Add in two days of muscle strengthening exercises, like sit-ups, push-ups or weight-lifting, and you have satisfied both types of physical exercise needs. Do this and you too will be part of the growing number of Americans increasing the physical health through exercise. See, www.cdc.gov.
According to the CDC, people who exercise live longer and tend to have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, depression and some cancers.
Even if you cannot exercise or walk 5 days a week, remember, some exercise is better than none!
So, just get started! And, take it one week at a time! Here are some tips:
- If you drive to work, park your car far way so you have to walk;
- Include a walk break as part of your lunch hour;
- Find a walking buddy at home or at work;
- Walk while you wait (e.g., if you have to take a child to music classes, sports practice or some other activity that requires you to wait.);
- Skip the latte and walk around the block instead;
- Walk to the nearest mailbox or the next closest mailbox to mail your letters.
Our Spiritual Walk
GOD still wants to direct our paths. HE wants to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm 119:105) While many, who say believe in GOD and want to follow HIM, it is also interesting to note that most believers do not read their Bibles. Lifeway Research found that in a study of churchgoers, only 14% said they read their BIBLE once a week, 22% said they read their Bible once a month and 18% rarely or never read their Bible. See, “Most Christians Don’t Read The Bible Much.” See, www.cbn.com.
But, the important question that each of us should ask is not what others are doing, but “What do I do?” How often do I read my Bible? What does my spiritual walk look like? How much time do I give GOD? Do I give HIM less than a minute’s attention before picking up my fork to eat? Am I a “speed” morning or evening prayer, as I hurry to get to work or as I hurry to get into bed? Can I name three scriptures that I can turn to when my path is blocked or when I seem to have lost my way? Does my TV remote get more action than the pages of my BIBLE?
Just as each of us can increase our physical walk, each of us can increase our spiritual walk (with GOD). HE is just waiting to light our way.
Start walking, keep “walking,” be healthy and BE BLESSED.
