Last weekend I stayed up late to watch a football game between Colorado State University and the University of Colorado—the Rocky Mountain Showdown. The game started at 8 pm and lasted into the night. I’m not a late night person, but the thrilling game kept me energized. About 11:30 I made a distinct decision that I was watching the end of the game no matter how late it ran. After two overtimes I got to bed just before 1 am. So worth it.

Part of a journey of faith involves distinct decisions to follow the Lord along the way, especially when the way grows challenging. Here’s how the psalmist wrote of such resolve:

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

The writer describes a conscious decision. We choose to make the Lord our refuge, to cling to him when our strength fails and our heart wilts. Faith is not a feeling, but rather resolute choice after resolute choice.

I’ve heard this common put-down of religious people—Christianity is just a crutch for the weak. In reality, we all need a crutch, but the true Christian faith is way better than a crutch. It’s more like the full body suit worn by Tony Stark in the Iron Man movies. The faith engulfs us, empowers us and turns away flaming missiles of the enemy. The more we wear it the more the Holy Spirit changes us.

Later the psalmist writes, as for me, it is good to be near God. The decisions we make daily either pull us closer to the Lord or allow us to drift away.

And as for me personally? I’ll grab my crutch, put on my body suit, and choose to limp toward the Lord, my refuge and my strength.

Psalm 71 & 73 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Lance Grandahl