I couldn't go back to sleep, because my mind was churning--worries, concerns about some issues I'd handled poorly, and deep heaviness over illness and other difficulties facing some folks we love.
As I lay there, I rehearsed and replayed things in my overtaxed brain. Bad call. The only items we should rehearse and replay in our minds are all the things in our lives for which we're thankful. After many fruitless, frustrating minutes, I finally figured it would be far better to get up and go spend some time with the Lord. Good call. Always a good call to take it to the One on the throne of the universe, don't you think?
These words jumped out at me in today's Daily Light: "Great peace have those who love Your law." (Ps.119:165) Meaning--if we want to experience the joy of peace in our lives, then we need to go to the place where perfect peace can be found: the very words of Almighty God. We'll never find ultimate peace by trying to "figure it out on our own" or by pouring over our worry list or by distracting ourselves or by ignoring the problem, hoping it goes away.
And we certainly won't experience peace with our Bibles closed.
Funny--I don't think it's any coincidence that I've been "too busy" in recent days to spend much quality time with the Lord. And when we're too frenzied to practice and enjoy the presence of God, we'll discover we're increasingly weary, weakened, and worried.
Little time in His Word...little peace and little power. But oh the happy and glorious contrast--much time in the Word and with the Word...much peace, much power.
His presence breathes peace into our worn, threadbare souls. And the result is joy--every time.
So thank You, Father, for reviving and renewing me once again. Thank You for Your Word that never fails to speak life, wisdom, and hope into our lives. Thank You for never ever giving up on us, Your often wandering, clueless sheep.
Thank You for the hope and renewal that comes each spring--a glorious reminder that You are the God of new, resuur
Thank You for new mornings, new days, and fresh, new starts! Thank You that Your mercies are, indeed, new and invigorating every single morning. (Lam.3:23) Revive us again, Lord!
And Lord Jesus, oh how we praise You that You love all those "re" words--
Refocus. Remember. Refuel. Restore. Rejoice. Renew. Revive. Redeem.
Resurrect.
Thank You for the hope and renewal that comes each spring--a glorious, tangible reminder that You are the God of new and beautiful resurrection life.
Father, for anyone facing difficult, dark dead-ends in their lives right now, we pray that You would bring Your mighty resurrection power to bear in their homes, in their hearts, and in their hard places. We know that You have all the power and peace that they need. Might they feel, know, and experience Your redeeming and reviving presence, Lord.
Call them, comfort and convict them, and enlighten and encourage them by and in Your Word, Father. Might they know the "great peace" that comes from loving Your never-failing Word--the written Word and the Living Word.
To God be the glory.
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