Take Time to Be Refreshed

So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day].- Acts 3:19 (AMP)

If we are following Jesus and His way of doing things, we will be energetic instead of tired and worn-out all the time. We will live in peace, and we will experience contentment. He leads us beside the still and restful water, and there He restores our souls (Psalm 23).

Jesus and the disciples were ministering to people in great need. There were so many people coming to them that they had no time to eat or rest. So what did Jesus do? He said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31 NLT). Amazing! Jesus walked away temporarily from valid needs in order to take care of Himself so He could finish what God had sent Him to do.

When you can’t do everything, choose the best thing for the present time. Jesus knew it was better to let the needs of the people wait momentarily so He and His disciples could rest and eat. This allowed Jesus to be properly prepared to meet their needs in due time.

When you can’t do it all, remember there is a time for all things—and everything is beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Being in God’s timing is equivalent to being in His will. If you are doing something in God’s timing, it will be beautiful and fulfilling.

Confess: When I can’t do everything, I choose to do what is best at the present time (Ecclesiastes 3:11; Psalm 37:23).

Pray: Dear God, sometimes it can be hard to let go of worry and truly rest, so I’m asking You to help me. Please give me grace to peacefully assess the things that have to be done and take steps toward accomplishing the goals You’ve given me. Thank You that You are God and I am not, and I can trust You to do Your part in my life and others’. In Jesus’ name, amen.

To read: Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:9-10; Genesis 2:2-3; Mark 6:31-32

Adapted from the devotional Mornings with God by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2024 by Joyce Meyer. Published by Hachette Book Group, Inc. All rights reserved.