During 2025, Peachtree Church is focusing on the Book of Psalms with a series called Dwell, through which we seek to deepen our conversation with God and open ourselves to hearing his response. The practice of praying three times each day will unite the voices of our hearts and souls as we seek the day when we will see the full realization of the Kingdom of God, promised in Revelation 21:3: “…Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”
We will email devotionals twice weekly with Monday’s providing an overview of the Psalm as a whole, and Wednesday’s focused on that week’s Daily Dwell.
“You provide a broad path for my feet,
Psalm 18:36
so that my ankles do not give way.”
Devotional
I find it helpful that the Bible uses walking as a metaphor for faithful living. There are many parallels between walking and living the faith. Although the apostle Paul compares Christian performance to “running a race,” often the faith is compared to a walk.
There are benefits to jogging or sprinting, but it’s hard to jog or sprint for very long. It’s best to recover after doing so. But walking can be done at a low-impact steady pace for a long time. And depending on one’s physical fitness, one can do a walking workout many days in a row.
I think the first few years of my Christian life were more like a sprint than a walk. Perhaps I felt like I needed to make up for lost time, but I felt like I was in a hurry. I tried to read through the Bible as quickly as I could (even though retention and reflection were lacking). I tried to get a volunteer or leadership role in the church as soon as I could (whether I was really gifted or interested in the position or not). This led me to be exhausted most of the time, but I was told that it was “better to burn out than to rust out.” Both seem to be a bad idea.
I think our journey with Jesus is best at a walking pace, with the long game in mind. Sure, it might seem like we’re missing an opportunity if we aren’t assertive. But we also might rush into something without the appropriate wisdom or forethought, leading to unforced errors, heartache, and relationship strain.
The “thing behind the thing” might be our ache for significance. If we can show others (ourselves? God?) that we’re efficient, capable, productive, and successful we assume we’ll find meaning there. Of course, a measure of all those things is fine. But, if we try to make it the core of who we are, we’re doomed. We won’t be able to keep it up for long. We really need something sturdier than that and I’ve found that the gospel of grace is more suitable.
In the gospel, we hear that we were accepted before we tried to earn it. And to reckon with our acceptance, we need time to hear it and comprehend it. We need a slower pace to do so. “In solitude,” Henri Nouwen said, “we become aware that our worth is not the same as our usefulness.”
So, try to find the right pace for your faith. As we read in Psalm 18, God will provide a wide path for our strides and keep our feet from getting tangled and worn out.
For Reflection
- Who is the most consistent Christian you know? What about them has allowed them to have such a dedicated faith?
- Is there something in your life that’s a non-essential that is sapping your energy?
- Take some time to imagine you are years older than you are now. What do you dream is different/healed/mended about your life? Is there something you can do today to get closer to that dream or reality?
Prayer
O Father,
You who called us by name before the foundation of the world,
plant within us a deep assurance that we are Yours.
When the road grows long and the night is dark,
remind us that Your sovereign love goes before us and behind us.
O Christ,
Faithful Shepherd and Savior of our souls,
You walked the lonely path to the cross and did not turn back.
Give us Your courage.
Let Your presence guide our steps
so we may follow You all the way, even to the end.
O Spirit,
Breath of the Living God,
fill us with holy confidence that does not come from ourselves.
Speak to our weary hearts, strengthen our resolve,
and stir in us the joy of enduring faith.
Triune God,
carry us when we falter, lift us when we fall,
and lead us home with joy,
that we may finish our race trusting You, loving You,
and reflecting Your glory until the very end.
Amen.
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Devotionals