“O Lord, our God, by your Holy Spirit, teach us the way of faith and lead us into your rest.” Charles Spurgeon, Morning & Evening, Sept 22
The way of faith is not the way of the world in which we make our temporary home, so it is a challenge for us to learn to walk by faith. As I grow in faith, I’m amazed at how many of my responses and thoughts are habitual both for the good and the not-so-good. I used to think that our analytical minds and free will played such an important role. Nope. The vast majority of life is instant reactions without thought. Just consider how much thought goes into the mechanics of driving, or walking, or talking or typing or reading. The list continues in everything we do in life. There is a level of conscious thought along with much more unconscious, habitual reactions. This is encouraging because I can learn a new faith habit in time, albeit with a struggle. It is also disconcerting because a habit is largely done without conscious thinking so there are likely habits of which I am currently blissfully unaware that must be exchanged for habits more pleasing to the King.
God graciously prompts me when it’s time to exchange a not-so-good habit for a more faith-filled way of thinking or doing. And this why I love the little prayer I quoted above from todays devotional. God leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake, “for His own glory”. (Ps 23:3) So I can rest in Him! A path is a well worn way that others had traveled but I am just discovering because God is leading me. It’s a better way than the paths I’ve traveled before and when I’m on it He calls my actions righteousness, brought on by faith. The path doesn’t just lead to righteousness but merely walking by faith on it with Christ is righteousness. So I can rest completely in Him.
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