Our Walk with the Lord

"Yes, LORD, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your Name and renown are the desire of our hearts."  Isaiah 26:8 (NIV)

Are you one who enjoys walking...for the exercise?  Do you walk in your neighborhood, at a park, at the gym, on a treadmill?  Walking is a great way of working toward physical fitness, just as walking in the way of His Word develops our spiritual fitness.

Are there any hills on your walking path (or an inclined setting on your treadmill)?  Do you get winded?  Do your legs begin to ache?  In your Christian walk, have you encountered hills that may have seemed impossible to climb, that caused your heart to ache?  Psalm 142:3,5 says, "When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who know my way....I cry to You, O LORD; I say, 'You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."  Walk in His strength, my friend.  Lean on those everlasting arms.

This time of year, do you feel the sun beating down?  Is the humidity stifling?  Does it just make you want to head indoors to the air conditioning?  On the journey of life, do you feel as though you are walking through a "fire"?  Remember, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you....When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, Your Savior....Do not be afraid, for I am with you."  Isaiah 43:2-3,5a

Don't you just love it when you are walking and a cool breeze blows your way...when you smell the scent of gardenias along the path...when you get to enjoy the smile of, maybe even time to chat with a neighbor or friend?  God is in that breeze, His aroma around us, and He sends us those people to encourage us along our way.  "Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim [Him], who walk in the light of [His] presence."  Psalm 89:15  In our daily walks...physical and spiritual...there is tremendous gratification in knowing that as we go...as we persevere, we are growing stronger in body and spirit.

Lord, thank You for Your willingness to inhabit these bodies of ours, for allowing us to be temples that house Your holiness.  Help us to keep ourselves fit...in strength and spirit.  Thank You for the assurance that You walk with us...that You never leave us or forsake us. "Teach [us] Your way, O LORD, [so that we] will walk in Your truth; give [us]...undivided heart[s], that [we] may fear Your Name."  Psalm 86:11(NIV)