Sermon On Every Inch Of The Way

Abraham Kuyper, a former prime minister of the Netherlands once remarked: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” Psalm 37:23-24 reminds us: “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”

Earthly human life, in a metaphorical sense, could be considered to represent the span of a tape measure with a finite end. "Every inch of the way" is an idiomatic expression used to emphasize the difficulty, effort, and continuous nature of life’s tussles or journey. Every inch of the way will often encompass the personal steps and struggles involved. These may include taking standard regular paces, larger strides or, even giant leaps. Sometimes, through obstacles or unexpected hindrances, they may incur a mixture of perhaps two steps forward and one step back, or indeed one step forward and two steps back depending on circumstance and the individual's resilience. It suggests that every single step or stage involves personal effort and challenges, befitting the allegorical interpretation of the vicissitudes of life. The phrase is not a literal statement about every physical inch, but a figure of speech highlighting the relentless and taxing nature of personal advancement or progression through life’s immense difficulties.

Christian belief holds that Christ, through God's Spirit and Word, guides believers' steps, even as they make their own plans, often redirecting them for a greater purpose, bringing peace and assurance that a divine hand orders their path, as seen in verses like Proverbs 16:9 and Psalm 37:23. In many religious and spiritual perspectives, God is seen as the source, guide, and ultimate goal of human development in life. This progression is generally understood as a process of spiritual growth, character development, and attempting to become more like the divine, rather than God Himself undergoing change.

A planned journey is considered a widely held belief that God has a specific purpose or assignment for each person's life, and that experiences, including challenges and struggles, are part of that plan for growth. God is not regarded as a "stumbling block" but an orchestrator who helps one achieve their purpose. Everyone needs purpose in life because it provides direction, meaning, motivation, and significantly boosts mental and physical health, reducing stress, depression and increasing longevity by giving a reason to strive, grow, and care for oneself and others. Without it, life can feel empty or meaningless, leading to feelings of hopelessness, while purpose helps one navigate challenges and find fulfillment.

One unusual Bible story that offers a powerful lesson about purpose involves Jael, a woman who used a tent peg to kill an enemy commander in her own tent. The theme is unusual because it challenges conventional expectations of women, hospitality, and warfare to illustrate how God can use people and unexpected means to fulfill His purposes. The story, found in the Book of Judges (Judges 4:11-22), takes place during a war between the Israelites and the Canaanites, led by a ruthless commander named Sisera. The Israelite general, Barak, was hesitant to go into battle without the prophetess Deborah, who prophesied that the glory for the victory would go to a woman because of his hesitation. After his army was routed, Sisera fled on foot and sought refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Jael's people were at peace with the Canaanites, so Sisera expected to be safe. Jael welcomed Sisera into her tent, covered him with a rug, and when he asked for water, she gave him milk, which made him sleepy. Once Sisera was fast asleep, Jael quietly took a tent peg and a hammer. She drove the tent peg through his temple and into the ground, killing him. When the Israelite general Barak arrived pursuing Sisera, Jael showed him the dead commander, fulfilling Deborah's prophecy that a woman would get the glory for the victory. The passage reminds us: “Now Heber the Kenite had separated from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far away as the oak in Zaanannim, which is near Kedesh.

When Sisera was told that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, Sisera called out all his chariots, 900 chariots of iron, and all the men who were with him, from Harosheth-hagoyim to the river Kishon. And Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men following him. And the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword. And Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot. And Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth-hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.