BIBLE PASSAGE:
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not
grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
(Isaiah 40:31)
MEDITATION:
Have you ever reached a point where you thought it would be great if life
had a reset button? You have tried to live the best you know how, but life
just seems kind of tiring.
Today you did basically the same things you did the day before, and the
day before that, etc. Problems and issues just seem to sap your strength
and endurance. You feel like you want to just get away for a while to
re-energize and basically start over. You can sense the walls closing in
around you and you begin losing all hope of a better life.
If any of this describes you, there is good news in God’s Word! Your
hope could be in all the wrong places. Instead of placing your hope
in the Lord, you may have placed it in your own skills and talents, or
in the government, or in certain advisors, or any of many other places.
God’s Word tells us plainly and succinctly to place our hope in the Lord.
When we place our hope in Him, something amazing happens. Suddenly
we feel stronger and more capable of dealing with life’s issues. Instead
of plodding through life, we feel as if we are soaring through it.
Why? Because we have new attractions and purposes that we can run
toward and enjoy. Unexpected problems no longer drain us of our ability
to ‘bounce back’. Even when things are going smoothly and we are living
life at slower pace, we will no longer have those ‘gut wrenching’ feelings
of weakness or inadequacy that create a desire in us to give up on hope.
That’s what we want, isn’t it? To be strong, have endurance, navigate through
problems with confidence, and experience a joy in living. When we have this
kind of ‘rebirth’ we are better prepared to answer our call from the Lord to
be a part of His earthly ministry. We will look forward to ‘powering up’ the
spiritual gifts He has given us so we can anticipate and enjoy how He is using
us.
Since God made us, He knows what makes us tick. Doesn’t it just make sense
that we should relinquish to the Lord our own attempts to be in control of all
in our lives? He is the One who can provide us with what we need to enjoy our
short life span here on earth. He can create in us an exhilarating experience of
living a new life walking with Him, the One who enables us to live life to the fullest!
We could make a complete wreck of our lives without Christ, but when He
has control, all will go much better for us. We can do many wrong things in
our own strength that adds to our frustrations, disappointments, fears, worries,
etc. However when He gives us strength, our life changes to one of anticipation
and joy (including the ability and confidence to deal with unpleasant situations).
ACTION:
Question to consider:
– Am I still trying to remain in control of my life and do I make excuses
for the things I know I should be doing, but have decided I will not do
them, even though they are God’s will for me?
If we expect Him to live within us and take control of our life,
then we must stop rationalizing or justifying our disobedience
of the things He doesn’t want for us, and our refusal to do the
things He wants us to do.
Partial obedience is disobedience – God wants our all.
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I have failed to trust You completely and give You
control of my life. As a result, I am tired, weary, lack endurance, and
am just trying to get through each day the best I can. I want to have
my strength renewed so I can start enjoying a new and rewarding life.
You are the only One who can provide the valuable assets in my life.
As best as I can say it, I give You control of my life and look forward
to a total ‘rebirth’, so I can become the person You created me to be.
Teach me to rely completely on You for my strength and needs. I love
You as my heavenly Father and I thank You for Your love for me!”
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