Feeling Tired?

Daily Reading: Isaiah 40

Scripture Focus:  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40.30-31)

Devotional Thought: When I was putting in the landscaping around my new home in Bethel, I hired a young man to come and help me “play in the dirt.”  It was a hot day, and at the point of exhaustion, I had to stop working and go into the house to cool down.  I really didn’t want to do that.  I didn’t want to pay for my helper just to stand around.  And even worse - I didn't want the embarrassment!  Wisdom and my wife prevailed, however, and I sought refuge in the air-conditioned living room.  After some time of rehydrating and cooling off, I was able to go back out to my work.  If I had not taken the time to renew my strength, I would not have been able to finish the day’s work.

Spiritually, we can see the same thing.  The heat of the battle can cause us to grow weary.  If we want to finish, we must wait upon the Lord.  He will renew our strength. 

But, how do we wait upon the Lord?  The short answer is: worship, pray, rest, and refocus:

·       The Sabbath is a day to worship God, spending time in his presence, refilling our spiritual fuel tanks.

·       When we choose to pray instead of worry, we activate our faith that says, “God, I’m waiting on you to fix this, solve this, or change this.” 

·       Mental and physical rest are important, too.  An exhausted mind and body make us easy targets for doubts and fears.

·       When we read the Word of God we refocus, viewing life from a higher perspective.  The Bible helps us see the world as God sees it, and then I realize my problems aren't so big after all.

Feeling tired?  Wait upon the Lord!

Prayer: Thank you, heavenly Father, for worship and prayer and rest and your Word.  When I am weary, help me to wait upon you and renew my strength through these proven remedies.  In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 76.8-12

8 From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still,

9 when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. Selah

10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.

11 Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared,

12 who cuts off the spirit of princes, who is to be feared by the kings of the earth.