SET IN HIS WAYS

May 30, 2022

SET IN HIS WAYS

 

We often say about someone who is determined in some habit, "Well, he's just set in his ways. You're not going to change him."

Habits can be terribly bad or wonderfully good. The Psalmist's prayer was for a good habit. In fact, the best of all habits. The entirety of Psalm 119 is intended to convince us of the unbelievable value of listening to God through His Word and then following His directives.

"Oh that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes!" (Psalm 119:5)

To be "established" means something is set, accomplished, determined, it's happening and will continue to happen. The Psalmist prays for that, knowing that the greatest possible blessing comes when God's ways and our ways are indistinguishable. When we have so surrendered our will to His that we habitually listen to God in His Word and do what God is doing.

At that point, the great prayer of the Lord's prayer is happening. God's kingdom is coming, and His will is being done (through our established steps) on earth, as it is in heaven. What could possibly be better than a habitual lifestyle of following Him?

"Lord, I pray that in this year, in greater ways than ever before, my ways may be established to keep Your statutes!"





Also in Graceful Truth

REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 15)
REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 15)

March 15, 2023

This is the heart of revival, both personal and corporate. Revival intimates two things have occurred: a drifting and a return. We have wandered from Christ. Our hearts have become cold and lifeless. To be revived is to be brought back to that which is life itself. It’s not a return to a program or a discipline. It is to fall in love with Jesus all over again. It is a repentance unto Him.

Continue Reading

REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 14)
REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 14)

March 10, 2023

Is prayer a nice thing to do? Something we resort to when we are in a serious situation? A word to describe one of the disciplines of the Christian life? Secondary, but not really all that essential? Something we do as a segue between songs on a Sunday morning? Or is it the essence? The foundation? The fragrance that is to pervade everything for the serious follower of Jesus? The ultimate pathway to communion with God and the source of life and power for all we are and do?

Continue Reading

REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 13)
REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 13)

March 09, 2023

Why should we pray fervently for the blessing of a nationwide or worldwide spiritual awakening? Why should we unite (as Jonathan Edwards said) in “explicit agreement and visible union among God’s people in extraordinary prayer for a revival of religion and the advancement of Christ’s kingdom on earth?” Why should we seek to cooperate together and not tear apart the beginnings of His awakening in our nation?

Continue Reading