Text: Matthew 6:25-34
Memory text:
“And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.””
Exodus 33:14 NKJV
The eagles fly at an altitude that others can never smell. The turkeys hardly go above the ground; the strong local chickens could try to fly to the top of a bungalow; and the crow can fly a little higher but not like the eagles. Even then, the crow has to flap its wings with all its strength just to fly, working, struggling, and straining.
Unlike other birds, the eagles don’t merely fly or go through the storm. Rather, they stretch out their wings and catch the right wind currents to soar. They rise above the storm and continue to rise until they are above all the troubles. The eagles don’t concern themselves about the storm nor get worried or upset. They don’t fight their way through it, becoming weary and worn out like others. They don’t depend on their strength in the storm. They know that they are not created to live like that. They know that the way out of the storm that hinders, endangers, or destroys other birds is to simply rest in what God has given them.
In the midst of the fears and fretting of the Israelites, Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”” (Exo 14:13-14). Instead of being afraid or worried, they were to stay calm in the midst of the storm, and God would handle the Egyptians, and they wouldn’t bother them anymore.
God has called us to rest and to enjoy peace. We are not wired to think the way others think or live like them. We are called to live in trust and rest in God’s faithfulness to keep that which is committed to Him. We need to know that He is in control of our lives and He has our interests at heart. He will make, even the seeming unpleasant things to work for our good.
Friends, don’t let anything steal your rest this year. Don’t live in frustration, like other birds, trying to fix things in your own strength or struggling to live to please others. Instead of getting worried about your health, finances, job, academics, family, or anything, like the crows, choose to commit it to God and to trust Him. Don’t let anything take away your sleep. Stay calm and relax, for you have a faithful friend in God who will stick with you from the beginning of the year to the end. Welcome to your year of rest.
Prayer points
1. Father, thank You for bringing me to the year 2025 and for the rest You have given me.
2. Father, help me never to live like the crows but to rest in Your faithfulness, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. I allow God to step into my case and to handle my ‘Egyptians’ when I choose to rest in His faithfulness.
2. I don’t fear, fret, or get worried about tomorrow, but I commit everything to God and trust Him to handle them.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng