“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” Jeremiah 31:25 ESV
Reflect
We all long for rest from the weariness of living. It’s only Wednesday, and I’m already thinking about sleeping in and resting on the weekend. Sometimes I feel as if I haven’t truly rested in weeks, and I wonder how I’m going to make it through the day. God placed the desire for rest in our souls, and He promises to fulfill our weary souls in Jeremiah 31:25.
In this day in age, Jesus thankfully grants us the gospel of rest by the impossible labor of self-sacrifice for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). But in embracing the Gospel, we can sometimes find ourselves in a constant spiritual and emotional war—a war to keep believing the Gospel daily and to not give up on the promises God has for His children…a war that is consumed with sin, depression, anxiety, and even a questioning of our faith. With so much against us, how do we stay strong in this exhausting life? Where do we find our rest on days where we feel like giving up?
Sisters, I encourage you to not give up! Rather, “take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7). Don’t give up when you feel distant from God and your prayers have yet to be answered. Don’t give up when the devil’s fierce darts of doubt begin to consume your mind. Don’t give up when you’re at your wits end and wondering how you’re going to make it through the day. Don’t give up when the job the Lord has assigned to you seems too hard and not so promising. Don’t give up when you have failed in sin. Don’t wallow in your sorrows—continue to repent, fix your eyes on Christ, and get up and keep fighting. With Christ on our side as our strength, our comfort, and our biggest support, we can’t help but rest in the only thing that will get us through the day: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel, our weary and tired souls will be forever replenished.
Pray
Father, thank You for sending Your Son to be the sacrifice for my sins. Every day is a struggle—I am hurting, I am tired, and I am weak. I know You will sustain me, Father. Help me to keep my eyes on You and to focus on eternity, not on the things of this world. Break me, Father, and help me to hate more of my sin and to love more of You. Amen.
Your Turn
Do you feel like giving up? Remember, we are weak, but Christ is strong. Lean on Him for strength and guidance this week. Get in the Word, pray on your knees, and ask God for His help. You are not alone, sisters. Reflect on Hebrews 10:35-36.
