No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord.  – Proverbs 21:30

If you watch a baby learning to walk, they stumble and fall frequently. But they are building up their natural reflexes at the same time, as they move from crawling to standing to walking and running. With each bit of progress, their muscles are strengthened, and they develop coordination. They do not require instruction, because God-given instructions were born into them. It just takes time, patience, and perseverance until, finally, their steps are secure.

You may easily draw analogies to spiritual growth. As you spend more time with the Lord, more time in His Word, more time in prayer, and more time applying His principles to your daily faith walk, your spiritual “muscles” gain strength, and you grow more secure in your fellowship with Him. While you are born with God-given instructions – a conscience that has an awareness of God and His call on your life – you must take the steps to develop and exercise it properly. Stand solidly on God’s promises. Walk in faith, supported by prayer. Run to the Lord when you need Him. While you may occasionally stumble or fall, your loving Father God is always there to pick you up and set you on the right path again.

The Lord has already ordained your 2026, regardless of whether the road ahead looks clear or obstructed. Rocky paths serve to steady your feet the more you hike them. So it is that rough patches in life will strengthen your faith with time, patience, and perseverance. Intercede today for the public servants in federal, state, and local governments to find a sure and steady path by daily seeking the Lord’s will for them, and then to walk boldly in His strength.