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“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:7
“Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.”
— Psalm 119:105
“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.”
— Psalm 46:1
These three scriptures form the backbone of the message in *Faithful Steps*. They describe the normal Christian life. Not an abnormal, special life for a few “super saints,” but the standard God has appointed for all His children:
The lyrics of this song describe a believer who has learned to live from these truths, not just to quote them. There is a difference between having faith as a doctrine and walking by faith as a lifestyle. This teaching will focus on that difference.
Let us look at what the Word of God says.
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### 2.1. 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “We walk by faith, not by sight”
This statement occurs in a context where Paul is speaking about eternity, our resurrection body, and our present pilgrimage on earth.
In 2 Corinthians 5:1–4, Paul speaks of our earthly body as a tent—temporary, fragile. He contrasts it with a “building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” He is dealing with the tension between:
In verses 6–8, he explains the spiritual posture of the believer:
> “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (ESV)
Paul is not discussing a small, optional detail of Christian life. He is describing the only way to live effectively in this interim state—still in the body, but not yet in glory. We are not yet seeing Christ with our natural eyes, therefore we must relate to Him by faith. That is the setting of 2 Corinthians 5:7.
### 2.2. Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet”
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a comprehensive meditation on the Word of God. Nearly every verse refers to God’s Word under various terms: law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments.
Verse 105 is spoken by a man who is surrounded by opposition, misunderstandings, and pressure (see verses 84–95). This is not a theoretical or classroom setting. The psalmist lives in conflict, and in that conflict he declares:
> “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
In ancient times, walking in darkness without light was dangerous. There were no street lights. A “lamp” was something held close, giving just enough light for the next step. The psalmist is saying: “I cannot see everything, but I can see enough for the next move, because of Your Word.”
### 2.3. Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength”
Psalm 46 is written in the context of national and cosmic upheaval:
> “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way,
> though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
> though its waters roar and foam,
> though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” (Psalm 46:2–3)
This psalm pictures worst-case scenarios—earthquakes, floods, shaking nations. Yet in verse 1 the psalmist begins with:
> “God is our refuge and strength,
> a very present help in trouble.”
He does not say, “God once was our help” or “God will be our help.” He says, “a very present help”—right now, in the middle of the shaking.
Placed together, these three passages describe the same reality the song expresses:
in every trial, storm, shadow, and valley.
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### 3.1. “Walk” – Greek *peripateō* (2 Corinthians 5:7)
The word translated “walk” is the Greek περιπατέω (*peripateō*), meaning:
It does not refer to a single act, but to a continuous lifestyle. Paul is saying:
> “We live, we conduct our whole manner of life, by faith, not by sight.”
Faith is not just for crisis moments. It is for every step, every decision, every response to circumstance. That is echoed directly in the lyric:
> “With every step I take anew.”
The Christian life is not a leap of faith once; it is steps of faith continually.
### 3.2. “Word” and “Lamp” – Hebrew *dāḇār* and *nēr* (Psalm 119:105)
“Your word (*dāḇār*) is a lamp (*nēr*) to my feet…”
In Hebrew, *dāḇār* often means both a spoken word and the thing that word brings into being. God’s word is never empty information; it is effective. It creates, sustains, commands, directs.
This was not a floodlight; it was a personal lamp, carried close. It gave light just ahead, sufficient for immediate movement, not for the entire journey at once.
So when the psalmist says, “Your word is a *lamp* to my feet,” he is saying:
> “Your effective, creative utterance is the personal, close light that governs each step I take.”
That deepens the chorus:
> “Your word’s a lamp unto my feet,
> In faith, my soul finds peace so sweet.”
When we submit our steps to the *dāḇār* of God—His effective, living Word—He does not always show us everything, but He shows us enough for obedience.
---
We will now walk through the song thematically, aligning each part with biblical truth.
### 4.1. Verse 1
“I walk by faith, not by sight,
Guided by Your holy light.
In every trial, in every storm,
Your promise holds, my heart is warm.”
#### 4.1.1. Walking by faith vs. walking by sight
To “walk by sight” means to be governed by:
To “walk by faith” means:
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith:
> “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Faith deals with the unseen—spiritual realities, promises not yet visible. We do not deny what we see; we simply refuse to make it final authority above Scripture.
#### 4.1.2. “Guided by Your holy light”
What is this “holy light”? Scripture identifies it in two main ways:
1. God’s Word as light
2. Christ Himself as light
The Holy Spirit takes the written Word and reveals the living Word (Jesus), guiding us in practical decisions. That is the “holy light” by which we are guided.
#### 4.1.3. “In every trial, in every storm, Your promise holds”
The spiritual reality:
Hebrews 6:17–19 says God gave His promise and His oath:
> “…so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we… have strong encouragement… We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul…”
An anchor does not stop the storm; it stops you from drifting. In spiritual warfare, the primary target is often the promises of God in your mind. Satan whispers, “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1).
The lyric is a direct counterattack: “Your promise holds.” Not my emotions. Not my understanding. God’s promise.
### 4.2. Chorus
“Oh, Lord, I trust in You,
With every step I take anew.
Your word’s a lamp unto my feet,
In faith, my soul finds peace so sweet.”
#### 4.2.1. “Oh, Lord, I trust in You”
Trust is not merely agreement with doctrine; it is personal reliance on a Person.
Psalm 56:3–4 gives the pattern:
> “When I am afraid,
> I put my trust in You.
> In God, whose word I praise,
> in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.”
Notice the order:
1. Fear or pressure arises.
2. I make a decision: “I put my trust in You.”
3. I praise His Word.
4. Fear loses its grip.
Trust must often be verbally expressed. The chorus does this. It is a confession of dependence.
#### 4.2.2. “With every step I take anew”
Faith is renewed step by step. Yesterday’s trust does not exempt me from today’s obedience. Jesus taught us to pray:
> “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)
Not “monthly bread” or “annual bread.” We are kept in dependence. Walking by faith means:
#### 4.2.3. “In faith, my soul finds peace so sweet”
Peace is not found in knowing the future; it is found in trusting the One who holds it.
Isaiah 26:3:
> “You will keep him in perfect peace,
> whose mind is stayed on You,
> because he trusts in You.”
The Hebrew says literally “peace, peace”—complete peace—for the one whose mind is leaning, supported, stayed on God. That is what the chorus describes: the inner state of a soul that has shifted its dependence from circumstances to God’s character.
This peace is also a weapon in spiritual warfare. Satan seeks to agitate, disturb, confuse. Colossians 3:15:
> “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…”
The Greek verb “rule” can mean “act as an umpire.” In other words: let peace decide. When you stand in faith on the Word, the peace of Christ becomes a referee in your inner life.
### 4.3. Verse 2
“When shadows fall and doubts arise,
I lift my gaze to the skies.
For You are near, my refuge strong,
In every moment, I belong.”
#### 4.3.1. “When shadows fall and doubts arise”
Shadows describe partial darkness, confusion, uncertainty. Doubts are like spiritual fog. This is where many believers stumble: they think that if doubts appear, their faith has failed.
Doubt is not yet defeat; it is a battlefield. It is what you do with doubt that determines the outcome.
James 1:5–6 says if we lack wisdom, we should ask God:
> “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…”
Doubt, unchecked, divided the mind and weakens prayer. But the correct response to doubt is given in the lyric: “I lift my gaze…”
#### 4.3.2. “I lift my gaze to the skies”
This is the posture of the psalmist in Psalm 121:1–2:
> “I lift up my eyes to the hills.
> From where does my help come?
> My help comes from the Lord,
> who made heaven and earth.”
Lifting our gaze is more than a physical action. It is a spiritual shift of focus:
Colossians 3:1–2:
> “Seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above…”
Faith is not blind. It sees higher.
#### 4.3.3. “For You are near, my refuge strong”
Psalm 46:1:
> “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
“Refuge” means a place of shelter, protection, cover from attack or storm. Many believers run to substitutes for refuge: people, money, distraction, or their own understanding. But Scripture insists God Himself is our refuge.
Proverbs 18:10:
> “The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
> the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
How do we “run into” His name? By calling on it, by declaring it, by trusting its authority.
#### 4.3.4. “In every moment, I belong”
Belonging is a covenant reality. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20:
> “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.”
Romans 14:8:
> “Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”
Believers need to affirm this: “I am not abandoned; I am owned, loved, and kept.” That consciousness of belonging is a defense against rejection, fear, and orphan thinking. It aligns with Hebrews 13:5–6:
> “I will never leave you nor forsake you… The Lord is my helper; I will not fear…”
### 4.4. Bridge
“Through valleys deep, I'll walk with You,
Your faithfulness, forever true.
In every heartbeat, I will sing,
The joy and hope Your love can bring.”
#### 4.4.1. “Through valleys deep, I’ll walk with You”
This echoes Psalm 23:4:
> “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
> I will fear no evil,
> for You are with me…”
Notice the pattern:
Deep valleys often represent:
Faith declares, “I walk with You,” not “I sit in despair without You.”
#### 4.4.2. “Your faithfulness, forever true”
In spiritual conflict, one of Satan’s primary attacks is against the faithfulness of God. He suggests:
But 2 Timothy 2:13:
> “If we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself.”
Lamentations 3:22–23:
> “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
> His mercies never come to an end;
> they are new every morning;
> great is Your faithfulness.”
We must align our confession: His faithfulness is not fluctuating. It is rooted in His unchanging nature.
#### 4.4.3. “In every heartbeat, I will sing”
Worship is a weapon. In 2 Chronicles 20, Israel faced a massive army, and God instructed them to place singers in front:
> “Give thanks to the Lord,
> for His steadfast love endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 20:21)
As they sang, God set ambushes against their enemies. When we choose to sing in the valley, we are not being emotional; we are engaging in spiritual warfare, exalting God above our circumstances.
#### 4.4.4. “The joy and hope Your love can bring”
Joy and hope are fruits of knowing God’s love:
Notice: joy and hope flow “in believing.” Faith opens the door for love to be experienced in the heart.
### 4.5. Outro
“So I walk on, in faith I rise,
With You, my Lord, above the skies.”
This final stanza describes two movements:
1. “I walk on” – perseverance. Faith is not static. We keep moving, regardless of opposition. Hebrews 10:38–39 warns:
> “My righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him… But we are not of those who shrink back…”
2. “In faith I rise, with You… above the skies” – spiritual elevation.
Ephesians 2:6:
> “…and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Faith lifts our perspective to heavenly places, where Christ is seated far above all rule and authority (Ephesians 1:20–21). To walk by faith is to live from that position—above, not beneath; ruling with Christ in the spiritual realm, not being ruled by circumstances.
---
We will look at four practical steps—each can be turned into a proclamation.
### 5.1. First: Choose the Authority of the Word Above Sight
We must make a deliberate decision: God’s Word is final authority in my life, above:
Practical action:
Proclamation:
> “I do not live by what I see or feel. I live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. God’s Word is my highest authority.”
### 5.2. Second: Take One Step of Obedience at a Time
The Word is a lamp, not a floodlight. God often shows you:
Do not demand the entire blueprint. Obey the next light you have.
Practical action:
Proclamation:
> “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I choose to obey the light I have today, trusting You with the rest of the journey.”
### 5.3. Third: Run to God as Your Refuge in Every Storm
When fear, anxiety, or pressure comes, decide where you run. Many run to distraction, entertainment, or other people. You must train your spirit to run to God first.
Practical action:
Proclamation:
> “God is my refuge and my strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore I will not fear, though everything around me shakes.”
### 5.4. Fourth: Use Your Mouth—Confess Trust, Sing in the Valley
Faith is expressed with the mouth:
Worship and spoken confession shift the spiritual atmosphere.
Practical action:
Proclamation:
> “In every valley, in every shadow, I lift my gaze to the Lord. I will sing of His faithfulness. I belong to Him, and He is with me.”
---
### 6.1. Proclamation of Faith (Declare Aloud)
I proclaim that I walk by faith and not by sight.
I choose the Word of God as my lamp and my light.
With every step I take, I trust in the Lord.
God’s Word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
I will not walk in darkness,
for I follow Jesus, the Light of the world.
God is my refuge and my strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore I will not fear,
though the earth shakes and circumstances roar.
When shadows fall and doubts arise,
I lift my gaze to the Lord who made heaven and earth.
I belong to Him; He will never leave me nor forsake me.
Through every valley I walk with the Lord.
His faithfulness is forever true.
In every heartbeat I will praise Him.
The joy of the Lord is my strength,
and the peace of Christ rules in my heart.
By faith I rise and take my place in Christ,
seated with Him in the heavenly places,
far above all demonic power and earthly turmoil.
I walk on in faithful steps,
guided by His Word, upheld by His presence,
until I see Him face to face.
Amen.
### 6.2. Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
I present myself to You afresh.
I confess that too often I have walked by sight—
controlled by fear, feelings, and circumstances.
Today I renounce that pattern.
I choose to walk by faith.
Holy Spirit, open the Scriptures to me.
Make the Word of God a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
Show me the next step of obedience,
and give me grace to obey without delay.
Father, I declare that You are my refuge and my strength,
my very present help in trouble.
When shadows fall and doubts arise,
remind me to lift my eyes to You,
not to sink into confusion.
Where my heart has been wounded
by disappointment, delay, or fear,
I ask You to heal and restore.
Pour Your love into my heart.
Fill me with Your peace and Your joy
as I trust in You.
Teach me to use my mouth rightly—
to proclaim Your Word,
to sing in the valley,
to confess trust instead of fear.
Train me to live each day, each step,
by faith in Your unchanging character
and in Your unfailing promises.
I receive Your strength,
I receive Your light,
and I commit myself to walk in faithful steps with You
until the day I see You face to face.
In Your mighty name, Lord Jesus, I pray.
Amen.
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