Renew: December 31, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 31, 2012.

RENEW

DEFINITION:

To restore or replenish, to revive, to reestablish, to make new spiritually.

SCRIPTURE:

Let the people renew their strength. Isaiah 41:1

And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Today is the last day of the year. It is a day that all of us need to take a few moments and reflect on the past. What have we done to honor the Lord? How committed are we to serving Jesus. What kind of family relationship do we have? These are all questions that one needs to ask especially as we leave an old year and enter a new one.

All things on earth need to be renewed. We all know that God created all things but no created thing continues by itself. God provided ways for the things He created to be renewed. For example, consider trees. They must have the water of the rain that falls and must be fed with the nourishment from the soil that God provides for them.

Years ago we were in the country of Lebanon. We had read so many times in the Bible and in other books about the Cedars of Lebanon. We went to the part of Lebanon where many of these beautiful Cedars of Lebanon trees grow. God planted (created) these trees but they only live because God provided for them an environment that met their daily needs for renewal and growth that they could draw from the earth.

Just as these trees need daily renewal our spiritual life can only be sustained by receiving a daily renewal from God. Just as it is necessary for us to replace the waste and liquid from our bodies with frequent food and water daily, we must replace the waste we lose from our soul by feeding daily on reading God’s Word.

God’s Word provides nourishment to our soul. Studying and meditating on God’s Word changes our thinking and redirects our minds and puts us in a spiritual environment that allows the Holy Spirit to do His work of renewal in our lives. 

Just think how depressed mentally and how weak physically we would be if we missed many meals. Even so we will get more depressed spiritually when we miss reading and studying God’s Word. Without constant spiritual renewal in our lives we become spiritually weak and we will not be ready for the constant evil assaults on our lives or the turmoil we have from within. If we do not renew our strength in the Lord daily, we will grow weaker spiritually and evil will gain a stronghold in our life and soon it will have mastery over all we do and say.

We need to not only read the Bible daily but we need to pray daily asking God to renew the spirit within us as the psalmist  said in Psalm 51:10. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

The apostle Paul wrote in II Corinthians 4:16 that “even though our outward man is perishing, yet our inward man is being renewed every day.” Yes, every day we get older and the aches and pains get stronger and our burdens get heavier, but when we are in a right relationship with God, He will renew us inwardly with spiritual strength through His Holy Spirit who works within us.

We urge you to practice the words of Isaiah (40:31) in your daily life. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”  As we enter a new year, it is our choice as to how we serve our Lord and live our lives.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 5:8.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

PRAYER:

Help me to renew my trust in You as I begin this New Year. May I grasp anew the growth I will experience when I take the time to read Your Word and then allow myself to wait upon You so that I may have renewed strength to face every issue that comes my way. May I also learn anew today to commit all that I do today, and every day, to You.