But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
— Isaiah 43:1-3, ESV
It’s Monday. A new week awaits with its tasks and to-do lists and busyness and expectations. We’ve just wrapped up a beautiful and intense discussion of Justice together, and in a couple days — this Wednesday, August 6th— we’ll start a brand new study on the book of Hebrews.
But today, can we take a moment and just sit together?
I struggle with Mondays. I struggle with balancing the excitement and motivation of seeing the week stretched out before me — fresh and new and waiting for me to Get It Together — with the fear that I’ll just plain get it all wrong. Or, worse still, that I won’t muster up the courage to try. Sometimes I worry that everything will change, and sometimes I worry it will stay the same. I admit, it all sounds pretty irrational when I put it down on paper.
Do you see hopes and fears and unknowns when you look at the week ahead? Rather than charge into a new reading plan today, let’s take some time to sit at the feet of Jesus. Let’s breathe deep and remember how He’s called us by name. We are His. Let’s give Him all the scary and the beautiful looming around the corner, and let’s remind one another that our God is trustworthy and faithful and good.
He is with us—each of us—right now, right where we are. Let’s rest in Him.
“Had the Lord Jesus been far away from us, with many a stormy sea between, we should have longed to send a messenger to Him to carry Him our loves, and bring us tidings from his Father’s house; but see His kindness, He has built His house next door to ours, nay, more He takes lodging with us, and tabernacles in poor humble hearts, that so He may have perpetual communion with us.”
— CH Spurgeon, Morning and Evening
This is so so me every Monday morning :)! Often, after a great weekend I find myself in just the place on Monday mornings, overwhelmed, fearful, unsure of the week ahead, how I will make it thru another work week (a job I love, but one I step out in faith each day to do). I have to remind myself during my work day to breathe :)….I am so very thankful to the Lord for showing me what I can only accomplish in his strength not my own. What a wonderful devotion to see this am, to sit as his feet as I start my day (another Monday).. Praising him for the breath he gives !!! Thank you!
This is so so me every Monday morning :)! Often, after a great weekend I find myself in just the place on Monday mornings, overwhelmed, fearful, unsure of the week ahead, how I will make it thru another work week (a job I love, but one I step out in faith each day to do). I have to remind myself during my work day to breathe :)….I am so very thankful to the Lord for showing me what I can only accomplish in his strength not my own. What a wonderful devotion to see this am, to sit as his feet as I start my day (another Monday).. Praising him for the breath he gives !!! Thank you!
Gosh I love these "catch your breath" days in between our studies. This afternoon I read Matthew 23, when Jesus delivers the woes to the Pharisees. I always get caught up in these parts, worried that one day my heart would be like them – I'm fearful of giving into pride, my desire for control and the need to always be right. I journaled about the passage, and moved onto this reading. Isaiah 43 nearly echoed my prayers! I was amazed, yet again, how clearly the Lord can speak to me sometimes. He tells us not to be afraid, I will not be overwhelmed, He has called me by name and I KNOW I am His! You can find more thoughts on my Instagram account @katsmith1026 if you like. If not – blessings as you continue on with your weeks, dear sisters!
I am new to the She Reads Truth community and I am excited to start the Hebrews study! I needed this reminder today as well, my husband came home from an 8 month deployment 2 months ago and he's about to head out for another one. Definitely need to be reminded of my Anchor and simply rest in Him.
Prayed for you this morning in your anxiousness. He is your Anchor and Protector, Giver of Peace. I pray that peace envelops you both this week. In Jesus' name. Thank you to your husband for his service! ♥
We are so happy to have you in this community! Excited for you to join us for Hebrews tomorrow!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
"Most Christians make the mistake of trying to walk in order to be able to sit, but that is a reversal of the true order. Our natural reason says, *If we do not walk, how can we ever reach the goal? What can we attain without effort? How can we ever get anywhere if we don't move?* But Christianity is a queer business! If at the outset we try to do anything, we get nothing; if we seek to attain something, we miss everything. For Christianity begins not with a big DO, but with a big DONE." -Watchman Nee; Sit, Walk, Stand
I saw the title of this, and then the verse posted, and felt that this paragraph was so important for all of us to read. The hardest thing, and yet the most important thing for us to do is to rest everything we have — good and bad– in Christ. Everything else just gets taken care of because of how much love He has for us. Isn't it wonderful?! Have a blessed day!! Or I guess night by now… ;)
Enjoyed so much the Justice study…and now greatly enjoying a much needed Breath…
My husband is a UMC Pastor and we were recently moved the farthest from our families we have ever been… I was pulled away from a job I loved and now at a new job that is a struggle to go to every day.
I am seeking direction and peace, and prayers are greatly appreciated!
Hugs and Love to you ALL, sweet sisters…
JK
This is so beautiful and timely. I feel so tired this Monday with an entire week of expectations ahead. My only choice is to rest in God's presence and take one day at a time, knowing that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Wow that's a trip…I feel like the Lord has been directing my attention to Hebrews for the past two weeks and I've been wondering Lord what is it that you want me to get out of this book? ….I'm hoping that He starts revealing His word to me in this book with this next study.