Devo for August 1

[Magnumguy]

We Are Restored

.........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 40:31 It’s no secret that in this day and age, life is fast-paced and demanding. It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed with all we have to do and the little time in which we have to do it. To make matters worse, we all carry guilt from our sins, feel stressed by the demands of those over us, and may even be struggling physically or emotionally. If we’re honest, we’re desperate for help. Yet when we struggle, we shouldn’t focus on our feelings but on what we know: God’s Word. Some of the most comforting words in the Bible come from Matthew 11:28. Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Notice, Jesus offers us His yoke. This means that work is still required of us, but it’s much easier with His help than it is all alone. Christ frees us from our burdens and promises us love, renewal, and a relationship with God. This allows our daily struggles to feel less like burdens and more like productivity and purpose. And when we feel like we simply can’t go on, God promises us the strength to overcome anything (Philippians 4:13). In Psalm 23, David says, “He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.” Other translations say “He restores my soul”. In either case, the picture David paints in these passages is a clear example of the kind of rest and relaxation our spirits need to get through our most trying times. But to activate these promises in God’s Word, we must have faith. He is in control of all things and when we put our trust in the Lord, we’re giving him control of our lives, too. Today, be confident that He will strengthen you to overcome life’s difficulties because you are a righteous, healed, and restored child of God. ************************************************** ************ Mark Henderson—Founder of The Inspired Legacy