When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.
The old metaphor likening life to a path has many felicities in it. It suggests constant change, it suggests continuous progress in one direction, and that all our days are linked together, and are not isolated fragments; and it suggests an aim and an end. For example, I ran a half marathon today. When I started the race, my aim for the end was the finish line! I thought of this verse before I ran it. However, after finishing the race, on the ride home, I reflected back on this verse and realized that it applies to so much more. Are you wearing shackles or limping through life? Are there restraints holding you back from success? Do you stumble or fall over things you encounter, ending up in pain and trouble? This verse reminds us that there is a better way to live; a life without pitfalls and with a clear path for easy and rapid progress. Consider the proverb, if you learn wisdom, your steps will not be straitened when you go through life. What are straitened steps? It is a hard life that is limited, restrained, or tied up from enjoying the best in pleasure and prosperity. As a strait jacket binds and keeps a person from moving, natural foolishness binds and keeps a person from joy and success. A great life…a truly successful life…can only be had through wisdom, which is why Paul taught similarly by saying, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” If a man chooses to remain foolish, he will miss a prosperous or successful life. His folly will hurt his relationships. He will always be behind in the race of life and will feel desperate. What is running without stumbling? It is progressing rapidly through life, without all the adversity, pain, and trouble that fools suffer during their lives. Every man will meet obstacles in life, but wisdom will save the prudent man from most of them. He will not trip and fall over difficulties like the fool. He will not fall flat in shame very often. Life is short, and only wisdom will save you from troubles that can ruin your life. If a man humbles himself before the word of God and his teachers, and if he accepts and applies their instruction, then God will guide him, protect him, and prosper him. The way of the righteous are blessed! Why would you choose any other way? Humble yourself today, and come meekly to Scripture and your teachers to find easy steps and smooth running for life.
Spiritual Steve 