Today’s Affirmation: The Spirit of the Lord gives me rest.

Today’s Affirmation: The Spirit of the Lord gives me rest.

At the end of the rope; at the end of unclear thoughts; at the moment of truth; in times of trouble; The Spirit of the Lord gives me rest.

Isaiah 63:14 was the source of today’s affirmation. Although this is during a time when Isaiah is speaking of the children of Israel, it is so applicable to our lives.

Back in 61:1 Isaiah gives his mission and his purpose: “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.”

Just because it is our mission it does not make it easy. Even Isaiah mentioned how God and the people suffered and in 63:9 he said, “In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.” They did NOT struggle alone. We do not suffer alone. When we suffer, God suffers. Many decisions we have made have made us suffer. He felt that suffering too. As a parent you probably have or will experience this. Your children make decisions that cause them to suffer; we suffer along with them, don’t we?

We may not see it or feel it at the time but God’s Spirit will give us rest. We can turn to Him for rest. These verses are saying where is this God that did all the miracles for us in the past?  We can’t see, hear or find him. As it says in 63:16, Surely you are still our Father!

Although I personally have sinned and fallen and we live in a fallen world, God says “”Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth–so wonderful that no one will even think about the old ones anymore.” Isaiah 65:17. In that will I rest. 

1. Even in the face of our poor choices do you find rest in the Spirit?
2. After all stress and worry can you get to the point of realizing that God wants the best for us and gives us His Spirit for rest?
3. Like the Israelites, why do we exhaust all of our worldly options before returning to Him?
4. Can you or have you felt His rest?

Thank God for this rest. If not feeling it, cry out to Him and know that He is surely still our Father. Be glad and rejoice in His creation and He will answer prayers and take care of our needs….rest on it!

 Tom Raines

Christian Affirmations4Life