Devotions

In the ordering of his affairs, the believer works in coalition with God. It was not always so. Since mankinds fall in Adam, sinful man acts in submission to a will controlled by sin. Ye were the servants [or, slaves] of sin (Rom. 6:20). Those who have come to Christ have, by the power of God, been renewed in their will. The Christian is set free from the power of sin. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness (Rom. 6:18).

Now the true child of God, as he plans and executes his ways, freely and frequently consults with God. Regeneration has made him free from the dominion of sin. He now has a will that desires submission to God. Such submission requires an acknowledging of Christ as Lord over all our ways. The decisions of life will be ours, but the directions will be His. Consultation in all matters is therefore necessary.

The means of consultation are the Word of God and prayer. By the diligent use of both means, we are guided by the Holy Spirit according to the mind of Christ. As we earnestly seek the mind of God in prayer and in the study of His Word, we acknowledge His wisdom and His power and His abiding concern for the well-being of His people, even in the smallest matters of life. Those who ask for direction in all their ways are promised it. He shall direct [or, keep straight] thy paths. Very often the main roads of life are straightforward, like the highways and motorways we travel. It is on the paths that we can get lost. The guidance given by God does not consist of vague generalities. No! The steps [that is, each stride] of a good man are ordered [or, made sure] by the Lord (Psa. 37:23).