November 23

And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. — Rom 13:11 BSB

One of the greatest enemies of faith is laziness. It’s much easier to lie down and suffer than to rise up and overcome; much easier to give in to lethargy than to fight it off and wake up. Faith requires action; prayer is intense work. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person accomplishes much.

Satan tries to put us to sleep, just as he did the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. But we must not sleep as others do; we must be alert, continuing in prayer, watching with perseverance, stirring ourselves to take hold of God’s strength. We are not to be slothful but to follow those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

It is the wind that carries the ship across the waves, but the wind is powerless without the firm hand of the boatman on the rudder. We hold the rudder; God fills the sails. It’s not the rudder that carries the ship but the rudder that catches the wind and keeps the ship on course. In the same way, God keeps us in perfect peace while we stay our minds on Him.