Episode 55: Hebrews 4:9-11
Transcription
Before we get started on our prayer today, I just wanted to remind you about my book coming out. I want to share it with you because I believe it will be a helpful resource and I want as many people to read my story as need to hear it. The book is a memoir and it’s a deeply personal look into caregiving and relationships. The book is called Yes, Father: A Daughter’s Journey to Forgiveness and is the hopeful story of my journey of caring for my father with Alzheimer’s while learning to forgive him for his past.
If you’ve longed to restore a broken family relationship or have cared for a parent with Alzheimer’s, you’ll relate to my struggle of hanging on to hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.
The book will be released on July 29, 2022. The good news is that the ebook is available for pre-order now. You don’t have to wait, but can head over to my website, www.thejulihernandez.com, and find a link there to pick up your own copy that will automatically be delivered to you on the release date. But don’t worry if you prefer paperback, because that’s going to be available as well, starting 7/29.
Now on to the prayer.
Today’s verse is Hebrews 4:9-11
The promise of “arrival” and “rest” is still there for God’s people. God Himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we’ll surely rest with God. So let’s keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience.
Let’s pray together.
LORD, this world doesn’t often give us opportunities for rest. There is always something we are meant to be doing, a place we need to go, people we need to see, tasks that are never-ending. Even our leisure activities can seem like a chore, and it’s hard work to maintain relationships with the people we love. Our time with You becomes routine, an item to be checked off our list. Our sleep is disrupted by busy schedules, noisy neighbors, what temperature it is, or whether our brain has decided it is finished processing for the day. No wonder we are exhausted in body and mind and spirit.
Today I want to hold on to the promise that You have decreed that eventually my journey does end, eventually I will arrive at being the person You created me to be, eventually there will be rest for my weary soul. And this means I can trust You in the here and now, in the midst of the dizzying array of responsibilities my life holds. It means that You are never far from me when I want to give up. Your promises are true and sure and ever present. They don’t just exist for the future, but for the now. Rest is available for me today.
I am Your creature, created in Your image, made to follow Your example. And You are at rest. Though you are always working, always providing, always in motion, You are never in a hurry. You are never worried. You are never trying and failing to do multiple things at once. There is confidence in Your power and in Your wisdom, and since You are my guide, help me to see that those things are mine as well. I don’t have to be constantly alert because You are. I don’t have to be a whirlwind of mindless activity, because that’s not what You exemplify.
But this does mean I need You to fortify my strength. It does mean that I need perseverance to continue my way through this broken world. I need borrowed energy, the glory of the Holy Spirit, peace in the face of stress, joy in the face of sorrow, and courage in the face of fear. Help me to love through the discord and take each step forward, no matter how much I might want to say nothing matters. Your work matters, my faith in You matters. How I represent You matters.
I don’t want to rebel against You, God. I know I do it too often. I know I say my way is best. I know I blindly fasten my fingers into the works of my flesh and hold too tightly. My inner pride would tell me I know better than the Almighty Creator of the universe, but it is not so. So please, banish it, destroy it, and renew me with Your humility and discernment. Protect me from the consequences by helping me to follow You first, not my own inclination for sin. Failure happens when I ignore You, when I deliberately turn my back on You.
Forgive me when I fail, and welcome me back into Your loving arms. You are so gracious, so merciful, so full of lovingkindness. I don’t deserve Your forgiveness, but I gratefully accept it. Thank You for never giving up on me. Thank You for providing opportunities for me to spend time with You, being renewed so I can face the day. Show me the way, even though it’s through hard times, help me to walk in it.
Today, if you are facing trials of strength and endurance, weariness that threatens to overtake your joy, or any kind of rebellious spirit within you, lay those things down at His feet. Listen to the beautiful Holy Spirit’s voice, bringing refreshment and comfort, filling you with Himself. Let nothing interfere in your times spent with Him. Give up all the worries and anxieties into His care. Let His armor defend your strength. Let His peace rule your hearts. Let His rest flood your body so you can keep going.
God, we live in such a dreary place, but saturated with Your beauty and glory nonetheless. Help us to see it. Help us to see You. We cannot do it on our own. There is too much standing against us. But You are mightier than the foes we face. Fight for us, use us, and lead us to Your rest. Be our oasis of tranquility in the midst of the storm.
I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
