Word for the Day January 1
By: Evang. Cascille Hammack
"For
thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: "In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence
shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15
Isaiah 32:17,18 describes what a life submitted to the Lord looks like, "The work of righteousness
will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful
habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." When we submit our lives to the Lord, regardless
of where we are, He gives us rest and peace. When we believe the message of Christ, we enter the Lord's spiritual rest.
Christ takes our burdens and sins and gives us the rest of His forgiveness, salvation and Spirit. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus
said, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and
My burden is light."
The
troubles of life and the heavy stone created in the human heart by sin creates an enormous weight that only the Lord
can lift away. All of the fruitless striving result in anxiety, fear and hopelessness. This is the state of the
human heart without the Lord. He created us to fill us with His presence, not to be Lord of our own lives. He
is Lord. By coming to Jesus, becoming His servant and obeying His direction for our lives, He will frees us from
the insurmountable burdens in our hearts and gives us rest, peace and His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us
through life. After we come to Him, when we do face trials and cares, He will give us help and grace.
Because He loves us and sympathizes with our weaknesses (Heb. 4:15), we are welcomed into His presence. "Let
us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time
of need." Hebrews 4:16 From His throne of grace flow God's love, help, mercy, forgiveness, spiritual gifts, God's
power and the outpouring of His Holy Spirit, the fruits of the Spirit and all that we need under all circumstances.
When we give our lives to Christ, He is now our high priest and the way is opened for His personal presence in our lives
and we can always seek the help we need. He is faithful.