July 10, 2022
Read Isaiah 40:27-31
27 Why do you say, Jacob, and declare, Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, my God ignores my predicament”? 28 Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He doesn’t grow tired or weary. His understanding is beyond human reach, 29 giving power to the tired and reviving the exhausted. 30 Youths will become tired and weary, young men will certainly stumble; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.
Good morning! Have you not heard? God, our creator, renews our strength.
It seems that rainy days are one of the ways that God slows us down. We suddenly put outdoor plans on hold and we feel the urge to rest. Thank you to our God who created our beautiful earth. It is easy to become so driven to complete tasks that it is hard to stop. God allows us the grace to stop, rest, and spend time in fellowship with the Word.
Our bodies are magnificent beings with so much capacity, but the more complex the more the need for rest: physical, mental, and spiritual rest. Most of the time we recognize the need for physical rest and we sit or lie down until our bodies are ready to resume working. Mental exhaustion can be a little trickier because when we reach that point we are too tired to understand or realize that we must empty our brains and fill them with something else: music, reading, playing a game. It’s amazing how a ten minute brain break will provide me with the ability to tackle whatever problem that is waiting to be solved.
Spiritual exhaustion is perhaps the hardest for us to understand. It is easy to become so wrapped up in our everyday demands that we skip our time with God. Maybe we say a quick prayer, but we shortchange the most important part of our day. We think I’ll spend more time tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes. Each day we wearily trudge through our lives minus the joy that comes from engaging with God.
When we are spiritually exhausted, each step seems especially hard. It’s as if our feet are covered in cement and it takes maximum effort to lift them. As this feeling spreads throughout us, we are more easily distracted or drawn to the evil that is always lurking in the shadows. We think, “it will be okay to take this shortcut this time.” “I’ll spend time with God later.” Before we realize it, the days become weeks and years of an existence without the presence of a relationship with God.
Let go of those earthly demands that keep you from spending time with God. When you lie down your weary head and sad heart, remember that joy returns in the morning with the dawning of a new day full of miraculous possibilities. . . those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.
…weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. We love You and want to be in a relationship with You. Help us to keep our eyes focused. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Today I will take time to be nurtured by God’s word.
Celebrate Endless Love! Pastor Liz