What are some things I have purposed?

Hmmm. Well, I have purposed to enjoy now more and make as much of it as possible. I have purposed to be more positive, to be an encourager, and to be less driven by business.

Then again, I’m not sure that those qualify as things I’ve purposed or just things I would like to be and do.

When I purpose something, I’m committing myself to accomplish it no matter what. It becomes something which I consciously pursue all the time.

I thought of this when I read Psalm 17:3.

“Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”

That reminded me of this:

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8).

Two good purposes to have: (1) not sin with my mouth and (2) not lose my purity before God.

Walking down our driveway carelessly can upset the unwary. The loose gravel makes unplanned sliding very easy. More than once someone’s slide and potential fall has been restrained by a clasped, steadying, supporting hand.

In life, we have plenty of opportunities to slide — into sin, into discouragement, into depression, into bitterness, into self-pity, into carnality.

Down, down, crash! Ouch!

Or else we can experience this:

“Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide” (Psalm 26:1).

When I trust in the Lord, He steadies and supports me, especially over the rough and treacherous spots.

When I lean on Him, when I hang on to Him, when I keep my hand in His, when I stay close to Him, when I trust in Him — that’s when I do not slide.