Devotions: The Work and Product of Faith

 

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving

Colossians 4:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 

While this is not directly about faith, it still fits in with the theme of the last couple weeks. Prayer and thanksgiving are both part of faith. We pray because we have faith in God; faith that He will act, that He cares about us, but also in Who He is. Thanksgiving is the result of faith; seeing God at work, having prayers answered, watching for God in everyday life. These things make us thankful. Prayer is the work of faith; thanksgiving is the product of faith. So for those who walk by faith, it is vital to devote ourselves to prayer. That is where the battle happens and should be our first response to everything. We should be constantly in conversation with God, talking to Him about everything. It is also important to have an attitude of thanksgiving; of seeing everything as a blessing rather than a curse, of looking for the bright side of every situation, and living in light of our faith instead of our circumstances.

For both of these to happen we must be alert. We have to be on guard, ready for the attacks of the enemy. We must also pay attention and keep watch so we can see rightly, not only for the schemes of the devil but also for the workings of God. If we do not pay attention or examine ourselves, we will be ambushed by the enemy and miss the blessings of what God is doing. How can you see God work if you aren’t looking for it? How can you know the weak spots satan will attack if you don’t examine yourself constantly as an army inspects the barricade? How can you be encouraged by memories of God’s faithfulness in the past if you haven’t sought to find them? How can you know who your true enemy is if you aren’t paying attention? Be in prayer, be thankful, and be vigilant!

 

 

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