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Respite For the Weary
RELATED VERSE: OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME
My Dear Children,When I think of the term “master,” I tend to think of an evil man, holding a whip in his hand, yelling insults while mistreating his slaves. In biblical times, the Egyptians treated the Israelites like this when they were in bondage. They had no heart towards the Israelites, no compassion whatsoever. The slaves were only there to fulfill the objectives of their masters. Yet the harder they worked, the more they were pushed.Well, I would like you to know another Master. He is so opposite of what I have just described, it is like comparing night and day. Do you know Whom I’m talking about? Yes, His Name is Jesus. Oh children, He is so gentle and kind and humble in heart. His desire is to give you rest for your souls! He does not have a whip for those who love Him; instead, He has a rod and staff to comfort and guide all who trust Him. Did you know that God, Jesus’ Father and Equal, goes to the wonderful extreme of adopting us as His own sons and daughters? We are not slaves wearing filthy rags. We are children of the Most High God, wearing righteous robes as His ambassadors! He does not order us to be removed from His royal presence; as a matter of fact, it’s just the opposite. He invites us to His own banqueting table. He has prepared a feast of you, dear ones.I encourage you to know this Master. There is none like Him. You will find all other masters will be very similar to the Egyptian rulers—abusive, demanding, and full of sorrow and pain. Children, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve (Josh. 24:15).
I love you
(Role play with your children. You are the “master”, and they are the “slave.”)
Dear Lord God,I ask that my children would serve You alone as their Master. I pray nothing in this world would take the place You so jealously desire in their hearts. Please keep them from developing a love for money, a prideful spirit, an unhealthy relationship, or anything else that might lure them from completely submitting their hearts to You as Lord of all. Instead, may they flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace (II Tim. 2:22). Allow them to become a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to You as their Master (II Tim. 2:21). And as they submit to You, dear Lord, please continually show them what a gentle and loving Lord You are. May they see that Your desire is to bless those who live in obedience to You.Thank You, dear Father, for longing to lavish your love on us; and even more, thank You for choosing to call us Your own children. You have made us Your heirs, O great High King! Please dear God, help my children to live accordingly. May they serve You with joyful hearts, recognizing that all other masters on this earth come with weighted chains. But You, Abba Father, Lord of life, have come with magnificent truth— tremendous Truth that will cause those who live by it to soar like an eagle in freedom!My prayer again, dear Lord, is for you to continually reign in the hearts of my children. I want them to have a driving desire to serve You alone as the Lord of their life. Through Your word, may they respond quickly to Your teaching, Your reproof, Your correction, and Your training in righteousness; that they may be adequate, equipped for every good work (II Tim. 3:16-17). May they bring glory to You, dear God. Be their Lord and their Master.
Amen
Ex. 1:6-14; Is. 40:11, Matt. 11:28-30; Ps. 23; Song of Sol. 2:4; Ps. 46:10-11; 1 Tim. 6:10-12
Ex. 20:4-6; James 4:4-8; Josh. 1:7-8; Rom. 8:15-16; Matt. 6:19-21; John 8:34-36; Is. 40:28-31; Gal 5:1.
Thus says God the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk in it, "I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you. And I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon, and those who dwell in darkness from prison." Isaiah 42: 5-7
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the breath and life of your Spirit! Press us forward with your glory. Cause our hearts to humbly receive our appointed calling of shining your light, speaking your truth, and setting captives free. In Jesus' Name, Amen.