Taken A Faith Walk Lately?

 Has there ever been a time when you felt you were just going through the motions spiritually? You pray, read your bible, go to church, and do all the things you know, as a Christian, you are supposed to do, but you’re just not feeling it? Well, welcome to “Faith Walk”.

Wasn’t it just a little while ago we were standing on that mountaintop praising God, feeling His presence and seeing His hand at work in everything? It seemed like nothing could interfere with our closeness to our Savior. Then, without realizing it, slowly things changed. Emptiness crept in. Our prayers seem to stop at the ceiling not reaching God’s ears. We’re feeling spiritual dreariness resembling this time of year. Our weather is transitioning from summer to fall, from the intense heat of the sun to overcast, damp, chilly days. Gloominess like the groaning of creation, booms in our ears. (Romans 8:22)

I think King David knew this feeling well, but no matter what, David always knew God was there. In Psalm 28:1-2 he said, “To You, O Lord, I will cry. O Lord, my Rock; do not be silent to me…Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.” Even though, there were moments David couldn’t hear God or feel His presence, David knew not to give up and move away. David knew the key to his very existence was to draw near to God. Years later, Solomon, David’s son, penned the principle David taught. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding [or never rely on what you think you know], in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”(Proverbs 3:5-6)

Even in his sin, David knew he could and should run to God and not away. He said in Psalm 51:3-12, “For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against You, and You only, have I sinned…Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me…Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”

James 4:8-10 says it this way:  “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded…Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

But, drawing near to God when we are in that gloomy spot is hard and impossible without faith. We who believe are to “…walk [and live] by faith, not by sight.” (II Cor. 5:7, Romans 1:17)

So, as we take our “Faith Walk” through the dismal days of seasonal transition, remember God is here! When we walk by faith in God, our spiritual dark days will vanish, as surely as the gray skies will burst forth into a magnificent kaleidoscope of Indian summer color.

So, be diligent, my friends, in your “Faith Walk” back to the mountaintop, where once again you will “worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness…” (Psalm 96:9)