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Respite For the Weary
So often, we as believers choose to go through our days with parched souls. The well of water is available; it's pure and refreshing, but we choose to live life on the run. His water REVIVES the soul, but we pass by it-- there's just no time to linger in his love. Or maybe, we choose to drink culture's kool-aid instead; the sugary drink is luring, but then it leaves us wanting. Until we understand that nothing will quench our thirst like his living water, our souls will remain parched.
The little girl in Christmas Morning has another mystery to unwrap! What will it be?
After dancing to the music box of joy (see previous post: https://www.respitefortheweary.com/post/the-making-of-christmas-morning-the-third-gift), the little girl sits down to open up... a beautiful crytstal goblet. And guess what? This goblet in not empty! Not only that, it is never empty! As a matter of fact, the goblet is full to overflowing! (By the way, Acacia, the illustrator of Christmas Morning, envisioned this picture in her head and then beautifully illustrated it for the book. I'm so thankful for her thoughts because the picture I originally had in my mind was so limited; I simply saw the little girl daintily sipping out of the goblet. But Acacia's picture is so much more accurate! It portrays abundance! This particular illustration ended up speaking into all the other pages of the book, giving Christmas Morning a "Narnia" feel.)
The name of this gift is: the goblet of living water. And as you can surmise, it is symbolic for the water that Jesus gives us through his word and his Spirit.
So often, we as believers choose to go through our days with parched souls. The well of water is always available. This water is pure and refreshing, but we opt out and instead live life on the run. His water revives the soul, but we decide that there's no time to linger in his love. Or maybe, we are drinking, but we choose culture's kool-aid instead; as a result, we are actually more depleted than revived. Until we understand that nothing will quench our thirst like his living water, our souls will remain parched.
Hear Jesus' plea:
“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14
Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters... Isaiah 55:1
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:2-3
As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. Psalm 42:1
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3
How will we answer his plea? Will we take a sip, then another, then another, until we are so filled up that we become an overflowing vessel of his hope and truth to all those around us? This is God's desire for you and me.
Open up the gift of his living word. No need to live with a parched soul when each one of us has been invited by our Savior to drink in his abundance.
Monday
Picture: Soldier (belt and breastplate)
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-14; Psalm 119:160; 2 Corinthians 5:21
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Take a minute to think about any soldier dressed and ready for combat. This week we will be looking at a soldier spiritually applying the armor of God in order to fight the daily battle of evil. With the application of ALL these pieces of armor, the soldier is able to stand firm (Ephesians 6 repeats “stand firm” many times.) Due to the multiple pieces of armor, today’s focus is BOTH the belt and breastplate. The soldier fastens himself tightly to the truth of God’s word. And then, the breastplate of righteousness is one that was purchased at the cross. It is an honor to put it on.
Is you belt completely fastened to His truth rather than what culture is tell you is true? Explain a lie of culture that is tempting to believe.
Are you wearing His righteousness or trying to be righteous on your own through doing good works? (One way to help you answer this question is to check your motives for doing the good works.)
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
FridayPicture: Soldier (sword)Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18 (emphasis on v17b-18); Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 18:37-39; James 4:7Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:Close your eyes and envision a two soldiers in the midst of a sword fight. One is well prepared and knows exactly when and where to strike; the other is in complete panic. Just like a soldier trains for war and knows how to use his sword appropriately and accurately, we too must be ready to use God’s powerful word in times of distress. Of all the pieces of armor of God, the sword is the only offensive one. In closing of this great passage, it’s also important to note that continual prayer in the Spirit for self and others is addressed. Fervent prayer helps keep all pieces of armor in place.Explain a time when you used God’s word to help you gain a victory in a battle whether it was mentally, emotionally, or physically. Is there a verse or a passage that you are currently focusing on or memorizing in order to keep your sword sharp and ready for battle? Write it here.Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Wednesday
Picture: Bride (His proposal)
Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-3; Matthew 11:28-30; Mark 1:17-18; John 3:16; Revelation 22:16-18
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Take a minute to think about one of your favorite wedding proposal stories. Think of the detailed planning and the excitement of the event. In the same way, God invites each one of us personally (and all of us collectively) to respond to His loving invitation to become His own. If we answer “yes”, the joy He has is immense. This is the beginning of a LONG TERM relationship, one full of His love; the more time we spend with Him, the more understanding we have of this love.
When did you respond to Jesus’ invitation of “Come to Me”? Explain.
In this long term relationship with the Lord who is 100% faithful, what are your strengths and weaknesses as you walk with Him each day?
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Tuesday
Picture: Bride (His pursuit)
Scripture: Jeremiah 31:3; Hosea 2:14-15; Isaiah 41:9-10; Psalm 37:23-24
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Envision a man taking the woman he loves on dates, holding her hand, bringing her flowers, and writing her love notes. Likewise, God is chasing each one of us with His love! He longs to reassure us of His commitment to us day in and day out.
What are ways that can help you be aware of His daily loving presence?
What are some of your favorite worship songs that declare God’s love for you? Write the titles here and then consider listening them today.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Friday
Picture: Bride (our response, now and later)
Scripture: Psalm 27:8; Song of Solomon 3:4; Ruth 1:16-17; Phil. 3:7-11; Revelation 21:1-7
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Take a minute to think of a bride saying her vows to her husband on her wedding day. Hear her say these words of committed love as well as see her put a ring on the groom’s finger. In the same way, our response to God’s great love is to love Him back with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Of course we will not do it perfectly on this earth, but there again, our God is patient with our human-ness, and He honors our humble desire to please Him. Someday in heaven, we WILL be without sin, and it is in this state and place that we will experience the full reality of the long-awaited wedding feast.
In light of God’s great love and faithful commitment to you, write down some “vows” or responses that you want to tell Him concerning your part in this relationship (perfect on His part, imperfect on our part).
What are you looking most forward to when the final and perfect wedding feast occurs?
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Monday
Picture: Bride (His initiation)
Scripture: Jeremiah 9:24; Isaiah 43:1; Isaiah 45:4-5; John 15:16; 1 John 4:10
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
In your mind’s eye, see a man making the first phone call to someone he is very interested in getting to know. On a much grander scale, it’s important to remember our God is the One who “first loved us”. We have done nothing (and can do nothing) to earn this love. He IS love; all He does is motivated from this unconditional source.
Are you convinced of God’s love? Why or why not?
Explain a time when God showed His love toward you in a very personal way.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. Proverbs 16:16
Dear Lord,
Help us to crave your greater things more than the world's lesser ones. Change our heart's desire from chasing the fleeting treasures of prosperity to pursuing the lasting riches of wisdom and understanding. Your word is full of bountiful blessings; may we get rich in it today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.