01/13/2023
We hear the voice as it leads us to Jesus Christ, and we come to Him. We come to know the truth, and righteousness of God through Him, and in that moment of belief something amazing happens, His righteousness and peace join together in our lives. Do we allow our walk with Jesus to take this wonderful next step in which the peace of Christ becomes one with our pursuit of righteousness? Do we take that step across the threshold of pursuing righteousness into the comfort and peace of being righteous? Does our faith secure us in our gait, and guide us ever onward in our transformation; into becoming Christlike?
“Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.”
Psalm 85:8 ESV
When we are uncertain, or nervous about the direction we are heading we often look back at where we have been, and sometimes we abandon our path altogether, and retrace our steps in an attempt to reassure ourselves that this road we are on is truly the right one. This is what doubt introduces in our walk of faith, and many who were once on the road to righteousness find themselves foolishly traveling the same section of it over and over again.
Satan uses our old life to introduce doubt into our new one, and even convinces lifelong saints to retread ground they have long since covered as he slows their progress, or confuses them. When these things happen we never reach our goal of becoming righteous and obtaining the peace of Christ. Eventually we might even become lukewarm in the mouth of God and be spit out on the roadside. But, if we are true to the course we are being led to pursue then we find ourselves at that place where the steadfast love of God and our faith meet to become one.
“Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
Psalm 85:10 ESV
When the Holy Spirit finally leads us to this amazing place where our faith encounters the steadfast love of God in a very real way then we find that we have not only achieved the righteousness we have sought, but that the peace of Christ fills us as well. This is where we are rewarded for keeping our face fixed on heaven, and stretching our arms towards the light of God’s grace and glory. This is the mountaintop where our fingers intertwine with His as we stretch upward with all our might, and He reaches down to grasp our hand.
“Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.”
Psalm 85:11 ESV
So if we are faithful, and stay the course without turning back, then we will receive the goodness of God, the promises He has made us concerning peace, joy, and eternity, and we will find the increase of our transformation in Jesus.
“Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.”
Psalm 85:12 ESV
Are we walking ever forward on the road to righteousness? Have we resisted the temptation to look back at where we have been, or to retrace our steps? Let’s pray today and always that we follow the righteous footsteps He has left for us, and that our faithfulness will find the peaceful reward of righteousness.
“Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.”
Psalm 85:13 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit who lead us along your way towards righteousness, and receiving your eternal peace that we so long for. Thank you for removing the temptation that nags at us, and calls us to look back at who we once were. Stand beside us on the way as we say “Get thee behind us Satan!”, and give us strength to resist our own wayward thoughts. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who requires our faith, and rewards it with righteousness and peace. Praised be your name for all the good things you provide us, and the increase we receive in our peace, joy, and every characteristic of yourself that you have bestowed upon us. Open our eyes as you did Paul’s, and wash us in the blood of Jesus so that we are cleansed of our sins, and prepared for the journey towards righteousness that lies ahead. Help us Merciful Lord to be faithful in every way, and to spread our arms wide to receive your grace. Judge us worthy of your peace Father, and let us rest in your eternal peace forevermore.
Rich Forbes