A wise man once said: The only prayer that God desires from an unbeliever is the prayer of repentance, for no matter which other blessing he asks for, none of them will matter if in the end he misses out on eternal life in God’s presence. This is why the first facets of the fruit of sabbath are about silencing the noise and busyness around us, returning to God, and reconciling with Him, and recalibrating our lives according to His holy yet gracious standards. But this is not the sole purpose of keeping the Sabbath and today we will discuss about renewal as a fruit of the Sabbath.

Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior of our life is a humongous step that only marks the beginning of an amazing journey. Will it be easy? Definitely not! As a matter of fact, Jesus guarantees us that we will face many trials and persecutions, but He also comforts us by reminding us that He went through and has overcome them. Therefore, so shall we!

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

Life brings many unexpected twists and turns, many which make us grow weary, to grieve, to despair, to lose faith, whether we know Christ personally or not. The blessed assurance that we have as believers is that we have a God who never leaves nor forsakes us, irrespective of how we feel.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. – Psalm 34:19

A few days ago, we read in Matthew 11:28 that Jesus promised to give rest to the weary, to lighten our burden. He also wants to refresh us, to let us drink from His living water to quench our weary and thirsty souls. Amidst every battle, every storm, every disappointment, and every heartbreak, He is with us and provides us with the strength to be more than conquerors. Sabbath is the perfect time for us to draw closer to Him and tap into this strength made available to us, and let the Holy Spirit renew and refresh us.

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. – Jeremiah 31:25

Remember the stories of Job, Joseph, David, Paul, and the list goes on. Many of the great servants of God whose stories are captured in the Bible are stories of afflictions and troubles. But the common theme in all their lives is that they found rest in God and were refreshed and strengthened by Him. The greatest man to ever live, Jesus, was smitten by the sorrowfulness of the affliction of the cross to come in the garden of Gethsemane. We cannot begin to understand what Jesus endured for us: the afflictions of bearing our sin and becoming the recipient of the wrath of God, mockery and humiliation, separation from the Heavenly Father. Yet He endured all of it, looking forward to the joy and the glory of resurrection that the Father would bestow upon Him. Jesus found His strength and rest for His sorrowful soul in the garden, by submitting to the will of the Father. 

He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. – Luke 22:41-43

Now wherever in life you are and whatever you are going through, remember Jesus is with you. As the angels attended to Him and strengthened Him, Jesus today has given us His Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Helper. Maybe you do not understand the reason for this suffering, or this pain, it is perfectly fine. Understanding does not necessarily mean comfort. But as you keep the Sabbath, go on your knees before God and submit your situation into His hands. Stand on the assurance that He will meet you with His strength and grace. Let us therefore be refreshed by submitting every part of our lives into God’s hands, and let our grieving, sorrowful souls find rest, joy, and peace in His comforting presence.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:29-31

Prayer:

Father Lord, I come into Your presence with the assurance of Your word that You will refresh and renew my strength. I submit this affliction into Your hands, knowing You are sovereign over all and seeking Your grace and mercies upon it. Restore Your joy and peace into my weary and troubled heart, in Jesus’ name I ask, Amen.