Final thoughts on Psalm 37:23-24
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand. NKJV
The good man in this context refers to the true believer. Though translated as two English words in our text, the Hebrew root, gabar, from which good man is translated, literally means to prevail or overcome. Its Greek counterpart, nikao, is used of believers seven times in Revelation chapters two and three. All true believers are overcomers in Christ. All of our steps as Christians are ordered by the Lord. Every detail of our lives is graciously and lovingly ordained, fixed, settled, and maintained. No reckless fate, no fickle chance rules us. Our every step is the subject of divine decree.
He delights in his way. God has a plan for us as believers (Eph. 2:10), and He delights in seeing His plan carried out in our lives. Just as parents are pleased with the tottering footsteps of their babes, all that concerns a child of God is of interest to his heavenly Father. God loves to view our holy strivings as we press forward toward heaven. In both our trials and joys, Jesus has fellowship with us, and delights to be our sympathizing companion (Heb. 4:14-16).
Though he fall. Disasters and reverses may lay us low. Like Job, we may be stripped of everything. Like Joseph we may be put in prison. Like Jonah, we may be cast into the depths, but we shall not be utterly cast down. We shall not fall never to rise again. We may be brought to our knees, but not on our faces; or, if laid prone for a moment, we shall be up again before long. No true Christian shall ever finally or fatally fall. Sorrow may bring us to the earth, and death may bring us to the grave, but we can never sink lower, and ultimately every believer shall arise to new heights for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Condescendingly and lovingly, with His own hand, God upholds his children. He does not leave us to mere delegated agency. He gives us personal assistance. Even in our falls the Lord sustains us. Even when grace does not keep us from stumbling, it shall save us from utterly falling. Praise God that we are kept by His power through saving faith until the day that Jesus transforms us into His immortal, incorruptible likeness (I Pet. 1:5, I Jn. 3:2).
It is not that the saints are strong, or wise, or meritorious, that therefore they rise after every fall, but because God is their helper, and therefore none can prevail against them. Charles H. Spurgeon
Bethel Bible Church Hawaii 