I think it’s possible to walk the walk of faith by sight. Not that this is a good thing . . . not that it’s profitable . . . just that it’s possible. I think we can get into a “faith routine” to such a degree that it’s really not about faith at all . . . it’s all pretty safe . . . all within the bounds of our comfort level . . . all seeming within our control. And anything outside the box of that “in control” walk of faith becomes kind of threatening . . . and, I’m afraid too often, is rejected.

It’s been a bit of a “one-two punch” in my readings this morning that’s got me thinking about this . . . set up with a left jab and then rocked a bit with a right hook. So here’s the set up . . . “A man’s steps are of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way?” (Prov. 20:24)

Chew on that one a bit . . . noodle over that . . . and tell me it doesn’t set you back on your heels a bit. I can just imagine Solomon penning this . . . the Holy Spirit inspires him to write such a high and lofty conclusion that, ultimately, where someone ends up is all directed of the Lord . . . and then, as he looks at what he’s penned . . . he furls his brow and scratches his head . . . realizing the implications of what he’s just written . . . “Then how can I know where I’m really going?” Precisely! You can’t!

And as I read that, I paused and thought to myself, “Pete, do you really believe that? Has God really mapped out your future direction?” It’s a question of faith . . . a realization, and then an acceptance, that, though I might have my idea of next steps . . . although I might know what I’d like to be doing later today or tomorrow or a few years down the road . . . it is God who has charted my course. So what do I do? I guess there’s a couple of choices . . . fight it and hold on to the steering wheel . . . or, go with it . . . recognizing that I’m going to need a level of flexibility with my plans . . . trusting that in His faithfulness . . . perhaps even viewing it with a level of excited anticipation to see where God eventually leads. Now, to the degree I’m abiding in Christ and have the mind of Christ and make decisions “in the will of God”, to that degree my way and God’s way should align. But it still comes down to, “Do I really believe it?”

Set up accomplished . . . then I read in Hebrews 3 where the “knock out blow” is delivered . . . “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion’ . . . Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’ ” (Heb. 3:7-8a, 12-15).

It’s a warning . . . a warning not to harden my heart . . . to be on guard against allowing any room for a heart of unbelief. Unbelief being that which leads away from the living God . . . unbelief being that deceitful sin which eventually can cause me to become callous to the voice and ways of God . . . unbelief being that which can seduce me into setting up a “faith routine” and a “sphere of faith” to my own liking and comfort level . . . to thinking that I can walk by faith by sight. Instead, says the writer, faith is the way of the “partaker of Christ.” I entered into relationship by faith . . . I owned Him as Savior and Lord by faith . . . and that confidence I held at the time of my salvation is the confidence, or faith, I am to hold to the end.

It is a walk of faith . . . it is recognizing that my step’s truly are of the Lord . . . that I can’t fully know, much less direct, my own way. It is resisting the old man’s desire to require control . . . and trusting God enough to go with His Spirit-led flow. It is embracing, and resting in, a true “nevertheless not my will but Yours be done” approach to life. And, as long as I truly walk by faith, my heart will remain supple to the things of God . . . able and ready to receive the Voice of the Master . . . trusting in Him fully . . . acknowledging Him in all my ways . . . confident that He will lead for my blessing . . . and for His glory . . .