We hear the word a lot, renewal; we renew our subscriptions, we renew our contracts, we renew our license, we renew our memberships. We are forever renewing things, things that generally cost money. Yet, how often do we renew the important things in our life. People renew their vows, but do they take the time and effort to actually renew their marriage or is it just the dress and flowers and cake that they are interested in. We renew our commitment to our goals (i.e. New Year's Resolutions) like losing weight, exercising, being a better witness, studying more, etc . . . It is the discipline to reach our goals that is often lacking.
The Bible talks a lot about renewal; did you know that?
Psalm 51:10 - "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." David asked the Lord to renew his spirit after he had sinned and lost his close relationship with the Lord. God wants to renew us too.
Romans 12:2 - "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." God makes a way for us to renew our minds so that we can better serve him and do the 'will of God.'
Isaiah 40:31 - "But they ethat wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." God will renew your strength.
Isaiah 40:31 is such an encouraging verse to me. God promises to renew my strength. Can I tell you one of the verse I don't like? II Thessalonians 3:13 - "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing." Really? That is just an impossible commandment. "Be not weary." Sure, that sounds great. However, if you add together laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, cooking meals, paying bills, homeschooling, housework, church, teaching Sunday School, playing the piano, choir practice, and then, Oh Yes, I'm supposed to be a wife, a mother, and a good friend. Really, just reading all of that makes me kind of weary. What about you? Are you weary? Maybe you need some renewal.
I know what will do the trick. A girls weekend. I'll stick my husband with the kids and the housework and the cooking and the craziness. I'll spend a day at the spa being pampered, after all I deserve it; then, I'll go shopping and out to eat with my friends. Oh, it will be wonderful and I'll be completely renewed. Sounds great, doesn't it? The problem is that at the end you'll be much poorer and not really renewed. The Bible says that He will renew our strength. (Isa. 40:31) That we can be transformed if we renew our minds. (Rom 12:2) And that He, alone, can renew a right spirit in us. (Ps. 50:10)
Yes, the truth is that I am often weary. There is more work than there are hours in the day. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing all of my jobs poorly because I have so many things I'm trying to do at once. But, I cling to the promises in Scripture that He will renew my strength, my mind, and my spirit.
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