Walking down our driveway carelessly can upset the unwary. The loose gravel makes unplanned sliding very easy. More than once someone’s slide and potential fall has been restrained by a clasped, steadying, supporting hand.

In life, we have plenty of opportunities to slide — into sin, into discouragement, into depression, into bitterness, into self-pity, into carnality.

Down, down, crash! Ouch!

Or else we can experience this:

“Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide” (Psalm 26:1).

When I trust in the Lord, He steadies and supports me, especially over the rough and treacherous spots.

When I lean on Him, when I hang on to Him, when I keep my hand in His, when I stay close to Him, when I trust in Him — that’s when I do not slide.