Delighting in the Journey: Walking with God

Devotional

Day 1: God Delights in Every Detail of Your Life

God is not distant or indifferent; He delights in every detail of your life, rejoicing when you walk in the steps He has prepared for you. Even when you stumble, He upholds you with His hand, ensuring you are never abandoned. The journey may not always be easy, but God’s joy is found in seeing you live out the path He has lovingly designed. He is ecstatic when you choose His way, and He takes pleasure in blessing and guiding you as you follow Him. [07:34]

Psalm 37:23-26 (New Living Translation)
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Once I was young, and now I am old, yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God inviting you to trust His direction more fully, even if you don’t understand every detail? How can you take a step of faith in that area today?

Day 2: God Guards and Establishes Your Steps

God is not only the One who orders your steps, but He also guards and stabilizes them, even when life feels unstable or overwhelming. He lifts you from the pit, sets your feet on solid ground, and keeps you from stumbling as you walk in His ways. Though challenges and setbacks may come, God’s hand is steady, and He provides the strength and foundation you need to keep moving forward. [22:10]

Psalm 40:2 (New King James Version)
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.

Reflection: When have you experienced God stabilizing you during a difficult or uncertain time? How can you lean on His strength and foundation in a current challenge?

Day 3: God’s Spirit, Not Our Strength, Leads Us

It is not by our own might or power that we fulfill God’s purposes, but by His Spirit working in and through us. Our plans and ambitions are important, but true success and fulfillment come when we surrender to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to direct our steps and open doors we could never imagine. God’s ways are higher, and He delights in leading us beyond what we could accomplish on our own. [24:12]

Zechariah 4:6-7 (New King James Version)
So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”

Reflection: Where are you relying on your own strength or plans instead of seeking the Spirit’s guidance? What would it look like to invite the Holy Spirit to lead you in that area today?

Day 4: Joy and Fulfillment Come from Walking in God’s Path

True joy and fulfillment are found not in comfort or ease, but in faithfully walking the path God has set before you. When you follow His instructions and pursue integrity, you experience a deep sense of purpose and blessing—even in the midst of struggle. God delights in seeing you live out your calling, and He blesses you with peace and joy as you walk in obedience, even when the journey is hard. [29:11]

Psalm 119:1-6 (New Living Translation)
Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.

Reflection: What is one step of obedience you sense God calling you to take, even if it feels uncomfortable or challenging? How might taking that step lead to deeper joy and fulfillment?

Day 5: God Partners with You on the Journey, Not Just the Destination

God’s greatest desire is to partner with you in the journey of life, not just to get you to a destination. He walks with you, strengthens you as you go, and delights in your growth and relationship with Him along the way. Even when you face setbacks or detours, God uses every experience to mature you, deepen your character, and prepare you for what’s ahead. The journey with Him is where you find peace, strength, and the assurance that you are never alone. [53:35]

Proverbs 16:9 (New King James Version)
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from worrying about the end result to enjoying and trusting God in the journey today? What is one way you can intentionally partner with Him in your daily walk?

Sermon Summary

God’s heart is not only to guide us, but to delight in every detail of our lives as we walk in the steps He has prepared. Even when we stumble or wander off the path, His love and faithfulness remain steadfast. The journey of following God’s will is not about predestination or a forced path, but about our willingness to walk in the direction He sets before us. When we choose to align ourselves with His purposes, He takes great joy in our obedience and in seeing us flourish in the places and callings He’s designed for us.

Life is full of seasons—some marked by blessing, others by hardship and loss. Through personal stories and biblical examples, it’s clear that God’s ordering of our steps doesn’t mean a life free from pain or confusion. There are times when we find ourselves in places we never intended, sometimes as a result of our own choices. Yet, even in those moments, God’s grace is present. He continues to use us, to bless others through us, and to gently call us back to the path He’s set.

God’s delight is not just in our arrival at a destination, but in our daily journey with Him. He partners with us, inviting us to take initiative, to step out in faith, and to trust that He will direct and stabilize our steps as we go. Opportunities may come in unexpected forms, and sometimes the doors God opens are not the ones we would have chosen. But as we are faithful in the small things, He brings about outcomes and connections beyond what we could orchestrate ourselves.

The joy of the Lord is found not in comfort or ease, but in the fulfillment of walking in His will. God is not indifferent to our struggles; He is like a loving parent, cheering us on, picking us up when we fall, and rejoicing when we thrive in the purposes for which we were created. Our responsibility is to remain receptive, to pursue His ways, and to trust that He is working all things for our good—even when the path is unclear. The journey with God is about relationship, growth, and the assurance that we are never alone.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s delight is in our willingness to walk in the steps He has prepared, not in a forced or predestined path. He gives us the freedom to choose, and when we align our lives with His will, He takes great joy in our obedience and partnership. Even when we stray, His love and calling remain, but His delight is fullest when we walk in His way. [08:52]
2. Our past experiences, even those marked by pain or failure, are not wasted in God’s economy. He uses every season—good and bad—to shape us, to build our character, and to equip us for future opportunities. The knowledge and resilience gained in difficult times become tools for the next steps He has for us. [19:28]
3. God’s guidance is not about removing all obstacles, but about stabilizing us in the midst of them. He sets our feet on solid ground, making us less likely to fall, but not immune to stumbling. The strength and stability we need are given as we walk, not before we start; faith is exercised in motion, not in comfort. [22:10]
4. Divine opportunities often come disguised as ordinary or even undesirable tasks. Faithfulness in the small, unseen, or humble assignments is often the very thing God uses to open doors to greater influence and fulfillment. Our responsibility is to do all things with excellence and openness, trusting God to direct and multiply our efforts in ways we could never plan. [27:58]
5. The journey with God is about relationship and daily trust, not just reaching a destination. He delights in our progress, picks us up when we fall, and finds joy in our growth. The process of walking with Him—through joys, struggles, and uncertainties—is where we find true fulfillment, peace, and the assurance that we are never alone. [48:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:13] - Introduction to Milk and Honey Ranch Testimony
[06:05] - God’s Delight: Setting the Theme
[07:34] - Psalm 37: God Directs and Delights in Our Steps
[08:52] - Free Will and Walking in God’s Will
[11:13] - Family Story: Out of God’s Will in Athens
[15:31] - Seasons of Hardship and Loss
[19:28] - God’s Faithfulness in Every Season
[20:47] - God Guards and Establishes Our Steps
[22:10] - Stabilized by God, Not by Our Strength
[24:12] - Responsibility to Walk in God’s Path
[26:10] - Testimony: Faithfulness and Divine Opportunity
[27:58] - God’s Surprising Ways of Fulfilling Dreams
[31:13] - Growth Through Crisis and Partnership
[34:26] - God’s Desire to Partner With Us
[36:15] - Embracing New Beginnings and Accumulated Wisdom
[39:21] - Following Opportunities and God’s Leading
[41:57] - Contentment, Ambition, and God’s Blessing
[44:28] - God’s Joy in Our Fulfillment
[48:43] - God’s Strength in Our Stumbles
[51:23] - Prayer for Guidance and Faith
[55:15] - Invitation to Relationship with God
[57:40] - Final Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 37:23-26 (ESV) — > The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.

Psalm 40:2 (ESV) — > He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) — > The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 37:23-24, what does God do for those who follow Him, even if they stumble?
In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the difference between God’s will and predestination? [[08:52]]
What are some of the ways God “establishes” or “stabilizes” our steps, as described in Psalm 40:2 and the sermon? [[22:10]]
What examples from the pastor’s own life or stories show that God can use even difficult or unexpected seasons for good? [[19:28]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says God delights in our willingness to walk in the steps He has prepared, not in a forced or predestined path. Why might God value our willingness and obedience over simply controlling our every move? [[08:52]]
The pastor shared about a painful season in Athens, Texas, yet said God still used their family to bless others. What does this suggest about how God uses our past, even when it’s marked by pain or mistakes? [[19:28]]
According to the sermon, what does it mean that God “stabilizes” us in the midst of obstacles, rather than removing all obstacles from our path? [[22:10]]
The pastor tells a story about someone being faithful in a small, unseen job before God opened a bigger door. What does this teach about how God often brings about opportunities? [[27:58]]

Application Questions

The sermon says God delights in our daily journey with Him, not just our arrival at a destination. What is one area of your life where you tend to focus more on the end result than on walking with God day by day? How could you shift your focus this week? [[53:35]]
Think about a time when you felt like you had wandered off God’s path. How did you experience God’s faithfulness or grace during that season? Is there an area now where you need to trust that God can still use you, even if things haven’t gone as planned? [[19:28]]
The pastor said, “God’s guidance is not about removing all obstacles, but about stabilizing us in the midst of them.” What is one current challenge where you need to ask God for stability and strength, rather than just a way out? [[22:10]]
Are there any “small” or “unseen” tasks in your life right now that you tend to overlook or resent? How might God be inviting you to be faithful in those things, trusting that He can use them for something greater? [[27:58]]
The sermon talked about God’s delight being like a loving parent cheering on a child learning to walk. How does this image affect the way you see your relationship with God, especially when you stumble or feel weak? [[48:43]]
The pastor mentioned that faith is exercised “in motion, not in comfort.” Is there a step of faith you sense God is asking you to take, even if you don’t feel fully prepared? What would it look like to move forward anyway? [[52:55]]
Looking back, can you identify a season where God used a difficult experience to prepare you for something later? How does that encourage you about your current or future challenges? [[19:28]]

Sermon Clips

By strength, we cannot make it happen ourselves. It's not by our strength, it's not by our own might, but the Spirit of the Lord will guide you, and He will guard your steps. Though things happen to you, though things go on in your life, you will still be guarded by God. He loves you, and He has purpose, He has plan, He has everything for you. It is up to us to get in His plan. [00:21:55] (34 seconds) #StrengthThroughSpirit

God directs your steps. God ordains your steps. But it's up to us to walk in those steps. We are, we have responsibility. We have a responsibility to do what God has called us to do. [00:24:06] (23 seconds) #ResponsibilityInCalling

What I tell you to do is do what you have to do with all your might. God opens the doors. God provides the opportunities. It doesn't mean we can't be ambitious. It doesn't mean we can't have dreams. But the thing is, is the way God fulfills our dreams is so beyond what we can conceive of. We have no idea if we schemed and planned, we couldn't do it like God can do it. But we've got to learn to follow the leader. We got to learn to follow him. [00:28:29] (33 seconds) #FollowTheLeaderFaithfully

See, it's okay. And this is not saying don't plan. It's saying we can make our plans, but we have to listen to him. It's like my dad always said, you can't drive a parked car. The Holy Spirit is our help. He doesn't initiate anything. We have to initiate. We have to take the steps. We have to do the things. We have to do things afraid. We have to, when, when things are coming our way and opportunities come our way, there's going to be this apprehension because what if it doesn't work? But what if it does? [00:35:39] (37 seconds) #InitiateWithFaith

When he establishes your steps, you're going to have times and opportunities to trip and fall and to stumble. But he has stabilized you so that it's just an opportunity to fall. But you don't because he is there to uphold you with his strong right hand. He is there for you. God delights in your steps. God delights in your steps. He wants to see you walking in his path more than you want to walk in his path. And God will bless you in those. [00:48:54] (40 seconds) #StrengthToStandFirm

Will it all be roses and all this kind of stuff? No, no, no, no. But it's better than when you weren't walking in his way and still suffering things. You had difficulties then. In this world, you will have trouble, Jesus says, but be of good cheer. I've overcome the world. So imagine if you're going to have troubles then, you'll have troubles now. But the thing is, is you're walking in his ordained steps and he is so delighted in you. [00:49:34] (28 seconds) #UpholdInEveryFall

He delights in seeing you be established in what he's called you to do. He delights when you walk in the steps that he has ordained because he knows that's where you'll find your most fulfillment. That's where your life, you will find joy. You'll find peace. Even in the struggle, you'll find the peace that happens, that God wants you to have. God delights in your steps. God delights in your steps. [00:50:46] (28 seconds) #DelightInFaithfulSteps

You don't strengthen us first. You strengthen us as we go. You don't prepare us before we go. You keep us going. And you strengthen us as we go. You enlighten us as we go. Lord, we walk by faith and not by sight. Lord, we just say this morning that we trust in you. [00:53:08] (27 seconds) #PeaceInDivineStruggle

God doesn't cause things, bad things to happen, but he uses them to strengthen you and to cause you to become better, to be a better person, to be a person of character, a person of strength, and a person that can share what they've experienced with others to help them through their difficulties. [00:56:56] (21 seconds) #StrengthenedAsWeGo

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