HE DOESN’T GROW WEARY!

 

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

 

HE DOESN’T GROW WEARY!

 

Isa 40:28

28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

 

The office worker trudges home in a rumpled suit and dragging a stuffed briefcase. He wonders if anyone can even comprehend how wearying it is to spend a day in endless and futile negotiations with obstinate people. The construction worker returns home scorched by the sun and beaten by the blows that he himself has delivered. Covered by grime and emptied of energy, he reflects on how little was accomplished.

 

The Hebrew word for “weary” is yaw-gah and means “to gasp” or to become exhausted. The everlasting God does not yaw-gah! He does not grow weary. He is the battery back-up in our every power failure.

 

The disciples found themselves ministering to many, listening, counseling, and healing. They listened to unresolved human conflict and then gave advice. They healed and felt the pain of others. Virtue went out of them. Each human problem, though none were theirs, drained them. They worked through lunch!

 

Mark 6:31-32

31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

 

The desert place was not a place in the desert because they reached it by ship! No, the desert place was a place without people! It was a place without demands and duties although the duties remained, and the demands cried out. They withdrew for renewal.

 

Our “quiet time” is that desert place whether it is in the morning before others rise or at night after others have retired; it is a place where we get alone with the everlasting God. Every believer needs this time to reflect, to worship and acknowledge God and to be refreshed. What a tremendous resource we have in the everlasting God.

 

Dear Lord, many of us begin this day still weary from yesterday’s labor. Renew our strength. Some have worked until their physical strength was nearly gone. Renew their strength. Some have cared for others until their spirits are numb. Let them mount up with wings. Let them run and not be weary. We trust in Thee, everlasting God. AMEN

OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM!

 

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

 

OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM!

 

Luke 18:16

Suffer [allow and permit] little children to come unto me and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

 

           Irene and I are currently working in Vacation Bible School. Yesterday was Day 1 and we both came home with stories of blessings. Both of us are a bit brittle to be working with kids and the recovery time is longer than it used to be but the rewards are surprising.

 

           Irene tells the story of a little girl who brought her a chair when her knee was growing weak. It was a spontaneous act of kindness that we sometimes ignore in children. Of such is the Kingdom!

 

           Asher was a little boy too young to join his brothers at VBS, but I met him and his mother at the close of the day. Asher means “happy”, and I am sure he brought happiness to his mother and dad. Bright eyed and curious, I had seen him running and chasing his mom out on the lawn. Of such is the kingdom!

 

           Jesus took a “kid break” when He and the disciples were busy and troubled with adult stuff. “And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:16)

 

Lord, give me the reward of being with children today. Let me have the attitude of Jesus with them. Let me smile and be a kid again. AMEN

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS TO THE CONTROL FREAK!

 

Monday, June 28, 2021

 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS TO THE CONTROL FREAK!

 

           I confess! I am a control freak and maybe you are too. I like things to go smoothly and, even if I am not personally in charge of a project, I like to know that project is going well.

 

           Two books control our lives. One is the checkbook, and the other is the calendar, or the appointment book. Either of those, if we lose control, can cause our lives to be miserable. The calendar determines my travels, my labor, and my leisure. I cannot afford to lose control. The checkbook controls my peace of mind.

 

           You are thinking, right about now, that I have forgotten the book that really controls my life, and you would be very right. The Bible has three things to say to the control freak.

 

           The Bible speaks of God’s purposes. Especially for the believer, God orchestrates events and resources to bring about His purposes. All things work together for ultimate good. This is God’s purposeful recipe for life.

 

Rom 8:28

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

           We need not fear God’s plans. Life is full of uncertainties and sudden changes to what is comfortable and normal. We must never forget God’s benevolent plans and what He calls “an expected end.”

 

Jer 29:11

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

 

           We take comfort in God’s presence. We do not walk this path alone. Where God guides – He provides. What a relief to know that I do not have to be in charge – in fact, I’m not really in charge. That position belongs to God. This same God is always with me.

 

Josh 1:9

9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

 

Lord, I am a control freak and I cause stress for me and for others with my unrealistic expectations. Help me to understand your purposes, follow your plans, and enjoy your presence. Please Lord, take the driver’s seat today. AMEN