want to encourage you today to think about renewal. It has been on my mind a lot lately and I believe it to be an important subject. What I am really addressing is daily renewal. This is the type of renewal where we wake up every day knowing that much awaits us and that we are still “carrying” burdens from yesterday and that we need God to renew us. To be renewed in this sense is to have The Lord graciously attend to us, because He is merciful and good and knows our needs. Perhaps the following steps will mean as much to you as they do to me.
Breath – this is where you go to the place where you do your devotional and start to meditate on The Lord and just breath in and …exhale. When doing so, acknowledge that you are coming into a time where you will trust God with all that is in your life and therefore you are willing to place it in His care. For me, it is my way of “physically” saying “Lord, I am stressed and sometimes feel overwhelmed so I am just going to exhale and slow down and give myself over to your leading”.
Rest – in the knowledge of His love and care for you. Remember that He is your rock and your fortress and an ever-present help in times of trouble. Consider the promises of scripture that He will take you under the shelter of His wings and can provide a hedge of protection from that which threatens you. Rest in His provision for you, knowing that He will work all things out for His glory and our good.
Read – His holy word. Mediate on it. There is nothing that brings me peace like God’s word. Nothing. I can literally feel myself being renewed as I just hold The Bible in my hands (I’m not kidding!). I think it is because God’s word has become such a dear friend to me and has provided me with such comfort and strength throughout my life that when I pick it up I am already anticipating being blessed, and I can just feel myself resting in His care and love for me.
Respond – in devotion, in prayer, in acknowledgment of the truth, in faith, in praise, in joy, in thanksgiving, and with love. Respond to your awareness of who God is by pouring out your heart in these ways to Him.
I hope that as you do these things you will find the renewal that I enjoy so often. God is so good and he desires to renew you every day from the bounty of His love.
Be renewed beloved and go in His strength.
For Him,
Rob