These peril beset feet of mine
by Alexander Smiley from the Hour of Silence 1899 He will keep the feet of his
saints 1st Samuel chapter 2 verse 9 It is a promise for the everyday
walk of my life. The walk of the soldier who pushes
on whatever enemies hinder his march. The pilgrim from the city
of destruction to the celestial city. The child of God in company
with his father. The human hand linked in the
divine. Am I one of his saints? It seems
to me often too high a title to claim. But let me remember
that everything depends on what my heart is fixed upon. The poet
dreams about a masterpiece of music he is yet to write, and
the artist dreams about a surpassing picture he will paint one day,
and the sculptor dreams about a statue whose grandeur will
draw all eyes. What, then, are my dreams? Are
they about one day being completely liberated from sin, and changed
into the image of Christ, and perfected in holiness? Then I am among the saints, and
He will keep my feet, not from the valley of humiliation, or
the garden of sorrow, or the hill of cross-bearing. No, but
from the temptation that ensnares me, the cliffs and precipices
of sin, the delicate plain called ease, the high street of an overweening
confidence in myself, the gloomy mountain ravines of anxiety and
despair. It is a welcome assurance, indeed. none less than God himself keeps
these peril-possessed feet of mine. He brings many protecting
influences into play, his precious promises, his clear commandments,
the perfect example of Jesus, the influence of those who fear
his name, the inner grace of his Holy Spirit. Yes, yes, I
walk safely. I walk at liberty when the charge
of my feet is with the all-loving, all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful
Redeemer God. you