Avoid the Cramps

(Proverbs 4:12 KJV)  When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

There is a promise here that we would all like to claim.  I would love to live a life that is not “straitened” (impeded NASB) (6877a) and so would you.  It is possible.  If you are into the Strong’s numbering system to find the meaning of words you might notice that the KJV sources put the number for this word as 3334.  That is just an anomaly of the numbering system.  When you check the NASB it says 3334 is the same as 6877.  It means to be bound up and cramped.  Picture a slave in shackles who is forced to shuffle as opposed to the power walker striding down the path.  We can stride with confidence.

As with all promises, there are conditions.  If you look at the previous verse it points out that wisdom teaches us to take the right paths.  If we ignore the instructions and expect the road to be secure, we have a sad stumble awaiting us. 

So?  Do you like to step out boldly and fall on your face or do you want to have solid ground in the midst of the swamp?  Read the directions and then follow them.