Salt in the Scriptures

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Salt is one of the most common and ordinary substances in daily life, yet in Scripture it carries deep spiritual meaning. In biblical times, salt was essential for preserving food, enhancing flavor, and even sealing agreements. God uses this simple element to teach powerful truths about faith, covenant, and the influence His people are meant to have in the world.

In the Old Testament, salt is closely connected to covenant and faithfulness. God instructed Israel to include salt in their offerings:

“And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking”
(Leviticus 2:13, KJV)

Unlike many substances, salt does not easily spoil. In the same way, God’s covenant with His people was meant to endure. This reminds us that God’s promises are not temporary or fragile; they are lasting and trustworthy.

Salt was also used as a preservative. Before refrigeration, salt prevented decay and corruption. This imagery is echoed in the New Testament when Jesus tells His followers:

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?”(Matthew 5:13, KJV)

Here, Jesus teaches that believers are meant to preserve what is good in a broken world. Just as salt slows decay, our faith, integrity, and obedience to God help resist moral and spiritual corruption. When believers live faithfully, they bring stability, truth, and hope to the spaces they occupy.

Salt also adds flavor. Food without salt is bland and unappealing. Spiritually speaking, our lives should reflect the goodness of God in a way that draws others to Him. Paul echoes this idea when he writes:

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6, KJV)

Our words, attitudes, and actions should reflect grace, wisdom, and kindness. Salted speech is not harsh or bitter, but thoughtful, truthful, and uplifting.
In one Old Testament account, salt is even used as an instrument of healing. In 2 Kings, the prophet Elisha casts salt into polluted water, and God heals it.

“And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.” (2 Kings 2:20–21 KJV)

This moment shows that God can use simple things to bring restoration. What seems ordinary in our hands can become powerful when surrendered to Him.

Finally, salt reminds us of responsibility. Salt only works when it comes into contact with what needs preserving or seasoning. It’s ineffective if it remains in the container. Likewise, faith was never meant to be hidden. God calls His people to live visibly, faithfully, and intentionally in the world.

In Scripture, salt represents covenant faithfulness, spiritual influence, preservation, and godly character. As believers, we are called to remain pure, grounded, and effective – bringing God’s truth and grace wherever He places us. When our lives are seasoned by Christ, they become a quiet but powerful testimony of His presence.

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew | Steps of Purpose

Honey in the Scriptures

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Honey is one of the most delightful foods in nature. Sweet, golden, and nourishing, it has been cherished for centuries.  Beyond its taste however, honey holds profound spiritual meaning in the Bible.

God uses it as a picture of His Word, His promises, and the wisdom He wants to pour into our lives.

From the Old Testament to the New, honey represents blessing, abundance, and delight.

When God spoke of the Promised Land, He said it was “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8, KJV).

This meant not just physical abundance but a spiritual picture: God desires to fill our lives with richness, blessing, and sustenance.

The sweetness of honey mirrors the joy we experience when we discover the truths of God’s Word. Psalm 19:10 reminds us that His law is “sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb”, showing that delight in God’s Word nourishes the soul.

Similarly, Proverbs 24:13–14 encourages us: “My son, eat thou honey… so shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul.”

Honey becomes a symbol of both delight and spiritual growth. God’s wisdom is sweet to those who hunger for it.

Honey also appears in moments of unexpected provision. Judges 14:8–9 tells how Samson found a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of a lion, reminding us that God can bring blessing even in surprising circumstances.

Likewise, 1 Samuel 14:27 shows how honey became sustenance for the weary Israelites in battle, symbolizing God’s care when we are weak and in need.

Honey teaches us patience and process as well. Bees must work diligently, gathering nectar from countless flowers, before creating the sweet honey we enjoy. In the same way, God’s wisdom and understanding are revealed to those who seek Him consistently. Spiritual growth takes time, attention, and a heart willing to receive.

Jesus Himself is the ultimate source of sweetness and wisdom. Through His life, teachings, and sacrifice, He nourishes our souls in ways that satisfy far beyond what the world can offer. As we read and apply His Word, we are enriched, strengthened, and prepared to face challenges with discernment.

Honey also reminds us of joy in obedience. God doesn’t want His children to experience faith as burdensome or bitter. Instead, He invites us to delight in His truth, trust His guidance, and experience the richness of life that comes from walking in His ways.

In Scripture, honey is more than a sweet treat. It is nourishment for the soul, wisdom for the heart, and blessing for life. When we hunger for God’s Word, seek His understanding, and delight in His ways, we find spiritual nourishment that satisfies, strengthens, and sustains.

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew | Steps of Purpose

Milk in the Scriptures

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Milk is one of the simplest and most beautiful pictures God uses in the Bible to teach us about spiritual life. Everyone understands milk. It gives strength. It brings growth. It keeps a baby alive. In the same way, God uses milk to show us how our souls are nourished and how our faith develops.

From the beginning, milk is connected with God’s promise and provision. When God sent Moses to deliver Israel, He described the Promised Land as “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8, KJV). This meant a land of abundance and blessing. God was not just rescuing His people from slavery. He was leading them to a place where they would be cared for, strengthened, and sustained. Wherever God leads us, He also provides what we need to grow.

In the New Testament, milk becomes a picture of the Word of God. Peter writes, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2 KJV).

Just as a baby cannot survive without milk, a believer cannot grow without Scripture. God is teaching us that spiritual life begins with a hunger for His Word. We grow when we read it, trust it, and live by it.

Paul and the writer of Hebrews show us both the importance and the limitation of milk. Paul told the Corinthians, “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 3:2 KJV).

The writer of Hebrews said, “Every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age” (Hebrews 5:13–14 KJV).

Milk is good and necessary, but it is not meant to be the final stage. God wants us to grow from simple truths into deeper understanding. He wants us to move from spiritual babies into mature believers.

Milk also teaches us dependence on God. A baby does not make its own milk. It must receive it. In the same way, we do not create our own spiritual strength. We receive it from the Lord. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35 KJV), reminding us that everything we need comes from Him. Our strength, our wisdom, and our hope all flow from what He gives us through His Word.

Throughout the Bible, milk shows us that God is a caring and faithful Father. He never asks us to grow without first feeding us. He never sends us into purpose without first strengthening us with truth. He invites us to come to Him daily and be nourished by His Word so that our faith becomes strong and steady.

Milk in the Scriptures is more than a symbol.
It is an invitation to hunger for God’s Word.
It is a reminder to keep growing in faith.
It is a call to trust the God who feeds us and leads us.

When we keep coming to Him for our daily portion, we discover that He truly is enough –  the God who nourishes our souls and guides our steps with purpose.

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew | Steps of Purpose

Eyes Have Not Seen

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There are seasons in life when all we can see is what is in front of us – unfinished dreams, unanswered prayers, and paths that seem uncertain. We look around and wonder if anything good is still ahead. We listen to the voices of disappointment, fear, and doubt, and sometimes they become louder than the promises of God.

Yet the Word of God speaks a different and far greater reality:
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
(1 Corinthians 2:9–10, KJV)

This Scripture reminds us that what we see right now is not the full story. God’s purpose is always larger than our present circumstances. Our vision is limited, but His plan is not. Our understanding is partial, but His wisdom is complete. What feels like an ending may, in fact, be a divine beginning.

Paul is not telling us that God’s blessings are hidden forever. He is telling us that they are beyond human discovery, but not beyond spiritual revelation. “Eye hath not seen” does not mean God is silent. It means He is working in ways that surpass what we can imagine and through His Spirit, He begins to reveal His purpose to those who love Him and walk with Him.

This is deeply encouraging for anyone who feels stuck today.
You may not yet see the breakthrough, but God has prepared it.
You may not yet hear the answer, but God has already spoken it.
You may not yet feel the change, but God is already shaping it.

Purpose often unfolds quietly before it becomes visible publicly. The greatest works of God usually begin in hidden places like in prayer, in waiting, in surrender, and in obedience. What looks small to the world is often the very place where God is preparing something great.

Steps of purpose are rarely giant leaps. More often, they are faithful, daily choices to trust God when the way forward is unclear.

I am speaking about choosing to believe His Word over your fear, choosing obedience over comfort or choosing hope when discouragement would be easier.

As you walk, the Holy Spirit guides you into “the deep things of God.” He strengthens your faith, renews your mind, and aligns your heart with God’s will. He does not merely show you what God will do. He prepares you to receive it.

If your heart is heavy today, your prayers feel unanswered or your future feels uncertain, take courage. God has already prepared what you are praying for.

Your purpose is not delayed, your calling is not forgotten and your story is not finished. The God who wrote your beginning has also written your future, and it is filled with hope, redemption, and promise.

So lift your eyes beyond what you can see, open your ears to hear His voice and trust the One who is preparing more than you can imagine.

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew | Steps of Purpose

Lessons from Abraham – A Legacy Built on Obedience

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Over the past four days, we’ve followed Abraham through calling, waiting, testing, and walking with God despite imperfection. Today, we reflect on the fruit of a life lived in faithful obedience – the legacy that trust and faithfulness leave behind.

Abraham never saw the full impact of his obedience during his lifetime. Yet God’s promise to him extended far beyond what he could imagine:

“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3, KJV)

Legacy is rarely immediate. It is built quietly through daily obedience, trust in God during uncertainty, and faithfulness even when results are not visible. Abraham’s faithfulness shaped the course of nations and left a spiritual heritage that continues to inspire believers today. Hebrews 11 reminds us of this truth:

“And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39–40, KJV)

Abraham’s faith created ripples that extended beyond his own lifetime. Though he did not see the full realization of God’s promise, his willingness to obey set the stage for generations to come. This is a powerful reminder: obedience, even in small steps, can leave an eternal mark.

Consider your own life. Often, we underestimate the power of faithful actions done in quiet seasons of life. The prayer you prayed, the encouragement you gave, the step of trust you took in faith. All these can impact people you may never meet. God is still using those faithful steps to shape His kingdom.

Legacy is not measured by recognition, titles, or applause. It is measured by faithfulness and alignment with God’s will. The obedience Abraham displayed was not perfect, but it was consistent, and that consistency created a spiritual inheritance. Your life, too, can leave a lasting impact when you choose obedience over convenience and faith over fear.
Even today, your choices matter. God honors those who keep walking with Him, trusting His promises, and obeying His guidance. Like Abraham, your faithfulness in everyday life, through trials, waiting, and imperfection, lays the groundwork for blessings far beyond what you can see.

As you end this week, reflect on the legacy you are building through your faith. Ask God to help you continue walking in obedience and trust, knowing that your steps, however small, are part of His greater plan.

Walking the Steps of Purpose with Abraham

This week we have journeyed with Abraham, witnessing a life of calling, waiting, testing, imperfection, and lasting obedience.
From stepping out of the familiar, trusting God through delays, and persevering through tests of faith, to walking imperfectly yet faithfully, Abraham’s story mirrors our own spiritual journey. And through it all, God’s faithfulness shines brighter than human failure. The lessons are clear:

1. Faith begins with obedience
2. Trust grows through waiting
3. Testing refines character
4. Imperfection does not disqualify
5. Obedience builds a lasting legacy

As you reflect on this week, remember that your journey, like Abraham’s, is filled with steps of purpose. Each step, taken in faith, leaves an impact far greater than we can see. Keep walking, keep trusting, and allow God to use your life to bless others and glorify His name.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” (Psalm 37:23, KJV)

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew | Steps of Purpose

Lessons from Abraham- Walking with God Despite Imperfection

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Abraham’s journey has not been without struggles. He doubted, made mistakes, and sometimes acted out of fear. Yet through it all, God remained faithful.

Today, we reflect on how God works through imperfect people. Abraham reminds us that faith is not about never failing, but about continuing to walk with God, trusting His grace and mercy to guide us. Even in our missteps, God’s purpose can still be fulfilled. Let’s explore how imperfection can be part of a faithful journey.

Abraham is often celebrated as the father of faith, yet his story includes moments of doubt, fear, and poor decisions. He lied to protect himself, acted out of impatience, and struggled to fully trust God at times. At one point, he attempted to fulfill God’s promise through his own plan with Hagar, showing that even men of great faith can take matters into their own hands when they grow impatient. And yet, through all his mistakes and missteps, God never abandoned him. This is deeply encouraging for all of us who sometimes stumble in our walk with Him.
Scripture reminds us in the book of Romans of the hope that faith can hold, even when circumstances seem impossible:

“Against hope, Abraham believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.” (Romans 4:18, KJV)

Notice that God’s faithfulness did not depend on Abraham’s perfection. It depended entirely on His promise. This is a profound truth for us today: our failures, doubts, or wrong choices do not nullify God’s calling on our lives. God is still at work in and through us, shaping our character and preparing us for His purposes.

Many believers disqualify themselves because of past mistakes, replaying failures over and over in their minds. Abraham’s story reminds us however that God works through imperfect people who remain willing to walk with Him. Our mistakes can actually become teaching moments, opportunities for growth, and ways that God deepens our reliance on Him. Proverbs encourages us with this truth:

“For though the righteous fall seven times, yet shall he rise again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” (Proverbs 24:16, KJV)

Faith is not about perfection. It’s about resilience, humility, and obedience even after failure. Abraham’s failures did not cancel his calling. As a matter of fact, they shaped his character, strengthened his trust in God, and positioned him for greater victories.

Think about this in your own life. Perhaps you’ve made decisions you regret. Maybe you feel like your past missteps make you unworthy of God’s plans, but just like Abraham, God invites you to rise again, continue walking, and trust Him to fulfill His purposes through you. His grace is bigger than our mistakes, and His mercy is greater than our failures.

Even when we stumble, God uses those moments to teach, refine, and redirect. Sometimes, our missteps make us more compassionate, more patient, and more dependent on God. These are qualities that are essential for anyone walking in faith. Remember, the story of faith is not written in our perfection, but in our persistence, humility, and willingness to keep following God.

If you feel discouraged by past mistakes, take a moment today to receive God’s grace. Surrender your fears, and commit to walking forward in obedience. Your past does not define your future. God is still writing your story.

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew | Steps of Purpose

Lessons From Abraham – Faith That Is Tested

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So far, we’ve seen Abraham obey God’s call and trust Him through years of waiting. Today, we step into a moment where faith is stretched to its limits.

When God asked Abraham to offer Isaac, the very son of promise, it was more than a test of obedience. It was a test of trust. Faith is often proven not when things are easy, but when God asks us to step into the unknown or surrender what we hold most dear.

As we look at Abraham’s response, we’ll discover how trials can deepen our faith and teach us to rely fully on God’s character.

Faith sounds beautiful when it is spoken about, but it becomes costly when it is tested.
In Genesis 22, Abraham faces one of the most difficult moments of his journey. God asks him to offer Isaac, the very son he waited years to receive:

“Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” (Genesis 22:2, KJV)

This request was not about cruelty. It was about trust. God was asking Abraham a piercing question: Do you trust Me more than the promise I gave you? Abraham’s response reveals a mature faith. We get some insight into his thoughts in the book of Hebrews:

“Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” (Hebrews 11:19, KJV)

True faith trusts God’s character even when His instructions are hard to understand. God tests faith not to take something away, but to expose what we rely on most. Tests reveal whether our confidence is in God Himself or in what He provides.

“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:3, KJV)

If your faith feels stretched right now, don’t panic. Stretching is part of strengthening. God already knows the outcome. You are learning to trust Him more deeply. Often, the very thing we fear losing becomes the place where our faith matures.

Is there something God may be asking you to surrender or trust Him with more fully? Take time to pray honestly today.

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew | Steps of Purpose

Lessons from Abraham – Trusting God Through the Waiting

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Yesterday, we saw Abraham take the first step into the unknown, trusting God’s call even without full clarity. Today, we focus on what happens when faith meets time, waiting on God’s promises.

Abraham waited many years for the fulfillment of God’s word, and in that waiting, his faith was tested, refined, and strengthened. Waiting is rarely easy, but Scripture reminds us that God’s timing is perfect, and His promises are sure. As we explore Abraham’s journey today, let’s discover how to trust God even when the answer seems delayed.

God did not only call Abraham to move. He promised to make him into a great nation. At one point, God took Abraham outside and said:

“And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.” (Genesis 15:5, KJV)

There was just one problem. Abraham and Sarah had no children. As the years passed, the promise seemed increasingly impossible.

Waiting has a way of testing what we truly believe. It exposes our impatience, our doubts, and our desire to control outcomes. Abraham waited not months, but decades for the fulfillment of what God spoke. Along the way, he wrestled internally, questioned silently, and even attempted to “help” God fulfill the promise. Yet Scripture records something powerful:

“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6, KJV)

Abraham was not declared righteous because he waited perfectly but because he kept trusting God in the waiting.
Many believers misunderstand delay. We assume that if God has not acted yet, He must have forgotten, but waiting is not God’s absence;it is often God’s preparation. Isaiah reminds us:

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, KJV)

Waiting seasons refine faith. They teach us dependence. They strip away self-reliance and force us to lean on God’s character rather than visible results. Faith grows when we choose to believe God’s word over our timeline.

What promise are you waiting on right now? Write it down and place it before God again in prayer.

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew | Steps of Purpose

Lessons From Abraham – Called to Leave the Familiar

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This week on Steps of Purpose, we’ll walk alongside Abraham, a man whose faith teaches us about calling, waiting, and trusting God through life’s uncertainties.

His journey wasn’t perfect, but it shows us that faith grows when we take steps even without full clarity, trust God through delays, and rely on His grace when we stumble.

Over the next five days, we’ll explore practical lessons from Abraham’s life; lessons to inspire and guide you as you follow God faithfully in your everyday journey.

There is a defining moment in every faith journey when God asks us to move. Its not always geographically, but spiritually, emotionally, or mentally. It’s the moment when comfort is challenged and the familiar is interrupted. Most believers will encounter this moment more than once, because growth in God often requires repeated surrender.
Abraham’s story opens with one of the most demanding calls in Scripture:

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee.” (Genesis 12:1, KJV)

What stands out is not only what God says, but what He does not say. God gives no destination, no explanation, no safety net. He offers direction without detail and promise without a timeline. This may be deeply unsettling for anyone who values certainty.Yet Abraham responds with obedience.

His defining decision is reflected in the book of Hebrews:

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” (Hebrews 11:8, KJV)

Abraham teaches us that obedience is not about understanding everything. It is about trusting God enough to move. Familiar places feel safe, even when they keep us stagnant. Familiar routines, relationships, and mindsets can become comfortable cages when God is calling us into growth.

Many believers struggle here. We want assurance before obedience. We want confirmation before commitment. Faith however does not work on guarantees; it works on trust.

Leaving the familiar may look like releasing a habit God has been convicting you about, stepping into a new responsibility, forgiving someone who hurt you, or saying yes to a calling that feels bigger than you. The fear is real, but so is God’s faithfulness.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5, KJV)

Purpose often begins with release. When Abraham let go of what was known, he made room for what was promised. God reveals direction progressively, each obedient step opens the way for the next.
The question is not whether the journey feels safe. The question is whether God is in it.

My question to you today is what familiar thing might God be asking you to release in this season? Take time today to pray, listen, and respond in obedience.

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew | Steps of Purpose

Ships Were Not Built To Remain In The Harbor

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Photo by Adem Percem

I read a very interesting quote from William Shedd last week – “A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships were made for.”
There’s something deeply comforting about the harbor.It’s familiar, predictable and calm. The waters are still, the risks are low, and everything feels under control but while the harbor offers safety, it was never meant to be a permanent place.

A ship tied to the dock may look impressive, but it will never fulfill its purpose there. Over time, it begins to rust, not because it’s broken, but because it’s unused. And in many ways, the same is true for us.

The Comfort Trap
Believers sometimes often confuse safety with faithfulness.We settle into routines, avoid risks and postpone obedience until conditions feel “right.”
We say things like:
“When I’m more prepared…”
“When I’m less afraid…”
“When life is more stable…”

Scripture reminds us that God rarely calls His people to stay where it’s comfortable. Abraham had to leave his homeland and Moses had to step forward with the sea in front of him.
God’s call has always involved movement.

Purpose Is Found Beyond the Harbor
The harbor feels safe, but growth happens in deeper waters. Faith is not strengthened in stillness alone; it is forged in obedience. Courage is not born in comfort; it is developed in trust.
God did not design you merely to survive. He designed you to step forward, serve, and sail where He leads.

Remaining in the harbor may protect you from storms, but it will also prevent you from discovering what God can do through you.

Fear Is Real But It’s Not the Final Authority
Stepping out doesn’t mean the fear disappears. It means you move despite the fear. The presence of fear doesn’t mean God isn’t calling you. Often, it’s confirmation that you’re standing at the edge of something meaningful.

The question isn’t: “Is it safe?”
The real question is:
“Is God leading me?”
If He is, the waves may rise, but His presence will not leave you.

A Gentle Challenge
Take a moment and reflect:
Where have you been playing it safe instead of trusting God?
What step of obedience have you been delaying?
What “harbor” has become too comfortable?
You don’t have to sail all at once.
Sometimes faith begins with loosening the rope.

Final Thought
The harbor is not a failure; it’s a starting point, but if you were created for purpose, growth, and impact, you cannot stay there forever. God is still calling people out of comfort and into purpose.
So when He whispers, “It’s time to move,” don’t ignore it.

Mervin Fitzgerald Matthew | Steps of Purpose