1 Samuel 16: 7 teaches us, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart,” instead.
Being human in nature, and in living by our flesh, we do tend to judge people based on their status quo. We sometimes measure them by their importance in life, how many “likes” or “follows” they may have, or maybe by the position they carry: doctor, lawyer, and so on.
Do we consider often enough just helping someone for the sake of helping? Or what about loving someone for the sake of loving? Jesus makes it possible for us to know our heavenly Father. And regardless of where we are in life, God does offer this greater intimacy in Him.
A Place of Renewal
I believe that the Lord has shown me, “there are many trying to ‘build it,’ doing so with their own hands.” There are laborers, there are architects, there are plans being put in place, as the visionaries do speak of the visions He is giving them.
It is a removal of the old things; a cleansing; a renovation process taking place. In my life, it has been a purging of sorts. He is calling us to a place of renewal: new beginnings, new thinking, and in some cases, even new land.
Luke 15: 4 says, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?”
Sheep need four things to rest:
- Freedom from fear
- Freedom from conflict within the flock
- Freedom from hunger
- Freedom from thirst
This really makes it clear, as to why we “as humans” also need our Shepherd. It’s in this time we spend with the Lord that it will help restore our soul, bringing us closer to Him.
Finding True Peace
Let us not be so focused on our earthly life that we forget the life He has set before us, and for all eternity. True peace and joy will be ours, when we truly surrender our lives to Him.
Psalm 23:3 says, “He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name…” — In Christ, we work; but, as we quickly learn, there will always be limits to our own labor.
We are His precious children; so, let us come together in faith, like little children... Because it’s only then, will we find this true rest in Him.
