True life begins when we
surrender our life to God. Even Jesus cried out from His soul for God to save
Him from the hour of His crucifixion (John 12:27). Yet, it is a good thing for us that He surrendered to
God’s will. When we surrender to God, sin is disgusting to us (2 Peter
2:8). We are foreigners and exiles in
this world. At the top of our priority list, is seeking God’s Kingdom. He
provides for all of our needs (Matthew 6:33).
Our soul revels in its rest, because the Lord is always good to us (Psalm
116:7).
If we hide sin in our
heart, God cannot hear our prayers; but if we live in His righteousness, He
pays attention to our prayers. He satisfies our longing and He fills our hungry
soul. To authentic Born Again Believers, His loving kindness is better than
anything this world has to offer. He will not turn away from us or withhold His
love from us. He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy
31:6). We praise Him with our lips for as
long as we live (Psalm 63:2-5, 107:9).
Paul encourages us to keep our whole spirit, soul and body
blameless until the return of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Jesus teaches us to love God with all of
our mind, choices, emotions and strength (Mark 12:30; Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:27). When
Mary found out she would give birth to Jesus, our Savior, her soul glorified
the Lord (Luke 1:46).
As we walk in God’s will for our life, we also live a life of praise to His
name. We cease from our own labors, and our soul enters God’s rest (Hebrews 4:10).
Many spend their lifetime working for their self and then
for God, but blessed are those who learn to cease from our labors and enter
God’s Sabbath rest. God gave us this example when He rested from His works
after His monumental feat of creation (Genesis 2:2-3). We keep each day holy for Him (Exodus 20:8-11). His
presence goes with us and insures that we rest in Him (Exodus 33:14). Even if our flesh and
our heart falter, God strengthens our heart, because He is our portion for
eternity (Psalm 73:26).
Prayer:
Father God, remind us that life on this earth is not an end in itself, but
merely an opportunity to choose eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Our
soul is capable of becoming distressed and discouraged (Psalm 42:5). Yet, our soul praises
You, who are the only One who can truly encourage our soul (Psalm 42:6 & 11; 3:1,
104:1). Our soul finds rest in You, because You are always good to us (Psalm 62:1-2). Help us to live
our whole live, in every endeavor You lead us to accomplish, to the praise and the glory of Your name (Psalm
103:22; Ephesians 2:10).
Thought for the Day:
The soul that finds its rest in God matures to the point of abstaining from sinful
desires, because they no longer appeal to us in any way. - 1 Peter 2:11
