Broaden my Path

Broaden my Path
Words of Faith 4-8-25
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2025
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Chapter 22 of 2 Samuel is entirely a song of praise regarding God's strength and faithfulness in delivering David from his enemies.
 
2 Samuel 22:37
[37] You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

Among the Lord's benefits extolled by David is that He broadens the path and prevents ankle turning. This is very important, especially in battle. If you have ever turned an ankle while walking or running, then you know the value! It is very valuable for us that He should protect our walk from injury.
The word used here is raw-khab' and means to broaden or make larger. The reference is literally to the "steps" that one takes more than the actual pathway. The KJV translates Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
The sense of this verse is compelling if we consider the words of Jesus— "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14).
We don't want to be on the "wide and easy road,"… but we also don't want to slip or turn our ankle painfully. He cannot broaden the pathway, but He can broaden our path… and adjust our steps. The road does not change, but He can give us security and stability as He guides us.
So, how might the Lord do such a thing? How can the Lord broaden the path or enlarge our steps? How might He stabilize our walk?
The first foundation is in the Word of God. When we learn, know, understand, and stand upon the Word of God, our steps will be stable, and our stride will be strong. David wrote of the Great Shepherd— He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake (Ps. 23:3). Another way to translate it is, "He guides me onto the right path for the sake of His Name." His Word is a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path.
If you visit Judea today and see the mountains where David was a shepherd, you will quickly notice that the Judean hills are rutted with thousands of concentric pathways worn over thousands of years by shepherds leading sheep and goats. It could be a very precarious place for a flock, except that the shepherd knows the pathways and can guide the sheep onto the way that is wide enough not to slip and solid so as not to fall.
The sheep learn to know the voice of the shepherd. They also know to trust him as he guides the flock. He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep (Ps. 121:3-4). So the Word of God gives a stable step and a firm place to stride; but in prayer we also learn to listen to the voice of the Shepherd as He guides us.
Rejoice today with David in the fullness of that thought. He is the One who broadens your footing and enlarges your stride so that you will not slip or turn your ankle. He is the One who make your way stable even on the narrow path.

Father God, I rejoice that my help always comes from You, the Maker of heaven and earth. You watch over me and give care to my steps. Broaden my steps and stabilize my walk by the power of Your Spirit and the strength of Your Word. Make my paths right even as they wind on the hills. Help me to walk always in complete dependence and surrender to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.