The Lord Who Gives RestSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: In affliction, He will give you courage and hope. And He will make you an instrument of comfort for those who tread the path of suffering. There is a God to wipe your tears away. "As a beast goes down into the valley, and the Spirit of the Lord causes him to rest, so You lead Your people, to make Yourself a glorious name." (Isaiah 63:14)
One of the many wonderful blessings given to us by the Lord is rest. When does He give us this rest? "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). How does He give rest? God gives us rest through His Holy Spirit. Those who have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit inherit this blessing.
"All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). We cannot live without persecution in this world. Joy and sorrow alternate.
"Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:14)
The Lord chose to walk through the narrow way. Will you say to Him, "Lord, no matter what happens, I need only You. I need only Your ways." What more do we need than to live a life in harmony with the Lord! Even when we face sorrow or grief, let us not leave our hold on God. God will lead us.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
David says in Psalm 119:71, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes."
"If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us." (2 Timothy 2:12)
Dear friend, are you walking through the path of pain? One day you shall reign with the Lord. Therefore rejoice! Like gold is tested in the fire, so will we be afflicted. But after the testing time follow praise, honour and glory. Many of us keep on shedding tears over our domestic problems. The day I got married, I resolved to do ministry with my husband, and consecrated my life to that cause. Eventually, I had to face problems, one after the other. But God heard my plea and anointed me with the Holy Spirit. In the midst of all the troubles, the Helper, the Spirit of God encouraged me. He gave me rest. Even when I lost my only daughter, the Holy Spirit strengthened me. The Lord is merciful. Just think patiently of all the good things He has done in your life. Open your mouth and thank Him for all His benefits.
God says, "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
He will wipe away all your problems even as you ascribe all glory to Him. In afflictions, He will give you courage, strength and a new hope. He will make you an instrument of comfort to those who tread similar paths of sufferings. When there is a God to wipe your tears away, why should you be disheartened? Think not of your affliction! Instead, think of all His benefits and give thanks.
Let those who have not received this Holy Spirit claim in accordance with His Word, "Ask, and you shall receive. And he who asks receives." Do not ignore this promise of the Lord. Only when you experience the Holy Spirit in your life, you will understand the glory and supremacy in a Spirit-filled life.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I humble myself before Your Throne of grace and plead with You, Father, please grant me the anointing of the Holy Spirit. You have stood by me whenever I was depressed or distressed. Help me also to stand by my loved ones who are in deep depression and undergoing various trials in life. Empower me to carry Your love and power with might. Before that, cleanse me by the holy blood of Jesus, that I may be worthy of being called Your child. Surrendering myself at Your feet, I pray through Christ, my Lord.
Amen. |