Good Spirit

When we walk uphill, we instantly become aware of the increased effort required to move forward. When we walk downhill, we feel the pressure of the pounding on our knees and feet. When we walk on a rocky path, we are careful to secure our steps so that we don’t twist an ankle. Walking on a smooth level path minimizes the difficulty of moving ahead and reduces the dangers of missteps.

Psalm 143:10 says, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” Walking on level ground is much easier than walking uphill, downhill, or on an uneven surface. Living according to God’s will and led by His Spirit is like moving forward on life’s level ground.

Numerous Thoughts

I have noticed that my thoughts inevitably influence my actions. If I have negative thoughts, I become discouraged and react negatively to my circumstances. If, however, I have positive thoughts, then my reactions and actions become positive, as well. Our thoughts can also overwhelm us. We can have so many thoughts going through our minds that we are frozen, unable to move or act. God is not so limited as we are. His thoughts are far more numerous than we can count. Still, He is always thinking of each of us. That fact, encourages my soul and gives me strength to move forward.

Psalm 139:17-18 says, “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.” The knowledge and wisdom of God will take us a lifetime and eternity just to know a small portion of what there is to know about God. His thoughts about each of us personally are too numerous for us to know. For now, it is good and encouraging to know that He is still with us and will never leave us.

Lowly, But Loved

Some people are name-droppers. They like to talk about the famous people that they supposedly know. But are they really known by these famous people? It is one thing to speak about famous people, but an entirely different story to be known by them.

Psalm 138:6 says, “For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. ” Our God sits in majesty on His throne in heaven. He is Lord of lords, King of kings, Almighty God, Creator of all things, and Ruler over heaven and earth. And yet He knows us and calls us by name. We know Him also as Father, Brother, Savior, Counselor, Ever Present Help, Comforter, Light, Lamb, and Steadfast Love.

Giving and Receiving

Generosity is demonstrated by more than giving money. It involves giving from the blessings that have been received. God’s promise is that we will receive much more than we give. For instance, when we offer kindness to someone, God promises that we will be enriched by the kindness of others toward us. In the same way, withholding kindness will result in our need for kindness being unmet.

Proverbs 11:24-25 says, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give,and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Repeated Choices

I have noticed that once I make a choice that it becomes easier to make that choice again in the future. I discover a food that I like, so it quickly becomes my go to choice in a restaurant. I make the decision to exhibit kindness toward a person, it becomes easier to choose kindness in the future. I get away with a small lie, it is easier to choose to lie going forward. It is the little choices that we make, that form our character in who we become. Compare I Samuel 2:12 : “Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD,” with I Samuel 2:26: “Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.” Eli’s sons and Samuel all served God in the tabernacle. Eli’s sons, however, did not know God and chose to do evil in many ways. Samuel, however, knew God and served Him faithfully. It is the decisions that we make throughout life that form our character, good or bad.