Strength, Purpose, and Meaning

Strength, Purpose, and Meaning

Yesterday we spent some time talking about what rest is. Today I would like to talk about some of the benefits of rest. Just as in the natural, spiritual rest renews your spiritual strength. The prophet Isaiah said, “They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary; they will walk and not be faint. Isa 40:31. The word wait speaks of trusting in God through prayer and unity with God.

In Luke chapter 18, Jesus used the parable of a woman and an unjust judge to teach us to pray and never give up. In his story, the woman finally received justice from her adversary because of her persistence with the unjust judge. Carefully consider what Jesus went on to say.

Luke 18:6-8 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

What did Jesus mean when he said, “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” What does faith have to do with it? The woman was persistent with the unjust judge because she believed that he was her only answer. Therefore, Jesus was saying that those who believe God are those who will persistently and constantly pursue him in prayer. Those who believe God, are the ones who pray because they genuinely believe he is their answer.

Those who believe God and therefore pray live a life filled with peace and rest. Those who trust the Lord will renew their strength because they are resting in the Lord. Life’s problems become small when a person’s faith in God becomes big! Fear vanishes when faith shows up!

1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Life’s problems are not your problem; your only problem is the way you view life’s problems.

In the book of second Kings, the king of Aram had sent his army to capture Elisha. They came in the middle of the night and surrounded Elisha and his servant.

2Kings 6:15-17 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 16“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

When a person walks by faith, they see the ability of God as much greater than the problems they are facing. This is why the apostle Paul wrote, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Eph 1:17-21

It is interesting that most people dream when it is dark outside. When life seems impossible and dark, and you don’t know what to do or where to go, this is the best time to rest in God and receive his dream for your life! Those who do not trust God don’t have God’s dream for their life and struggle to find purpose and meaning.

My dearest friend, today is your day to go deeper into the life of faith and rest in God. When you believe God, you will experience his rest and find new…

Strength, Purpose, and Meaning