“I will refresh the weary and replenish the weak” (Jer.31:25)
Lord Jesus, this one little verse is the Grand Canyon of grace, the Niagara Falls of mercy, the Swiss Alps of encouragement. Come, nourish our hearts with the wonders of your love and the hope of the Gospel.
What’s the story behind our weariness and weakness, and people all around us? Where do we start? Most people we encounter are struggling with more than we realize, juggling more than is sustainable, and carrying more heartache than the chambers of one heart can contain.
Underneath a calm surface might be a riptide of shame, fear, and self-contempt. Behind much hair-trigger anger is dammed-up sadness—years of unvoiced hurt, disregarded pain, and unwept tears. Those we haven’t seen in a while may not be on vacation, but in self-chosen isolation.
Hallelujah, masks of self-protection and pretended okay-ness begin to fall off in your kind presence, Jesus. The Gospel puts an end to posing and pretending, minimizing our need and medicating foolishly. Help us see and tap into the much-more-ness of your grace.
Jesus, free us to get the help we need, the counsel we lack, and the replenishment you promise. Also, give us your compassion for fellow strugglers. Like us, they may have no clue what’s really going on inside them. Turn our hasty reactions into slow listening and non-judgmental presence.
Settle and center our hearts today with the good news—the fresh news of the Gospel. Jesus, your love for us isn’t just better than life (Psalm 63:3), it’s the only love that can heal, refresh, and satisfy us. So Very Amen