The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to Him.
Psalm 28:7 (ESV)
Series: Hope for the Holidays
The week of Thanksgiving, and all it brings, is here! Are you feeling under pressure? Remembering all the things, figuring out the countless details, creating the various plans, and then performing the many preparations can be exhausting to our bodies, minds, and souls! And this week, it’s not just for Thanksgiving, but Christmas, too. “Black Friday” shopping has already begun, and so there’s the added pressure of finding the perfect gifts at the best price at just the right time. Who can keep up with it all?
Our house is traditionally the gathering place for Thanksgiving. I delight in hosting this warm celebration. The days before overflow with frenzy and flutter. Multiple lists are made in the hopes that nothing is forgotten, from the groceries and dishes to the chores yet to be done. Then there’s the gathering of recipes, the setting up of tables, and the decorating of each corner. Finally, there’s the execution of it all! And, by the way, have you remembered to turn the frozen turkey in the refrigerator twice a day for five days as it thaws for the big day?
It never fails. Something is missed, forgotten, or left undone each year. But there’s one “thing” we cannot afford to overlook, especially in the busy-ness of the season: our time spent with God each day. Jesus taught us, as recorded in Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV):
“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
Ha! It’s light and easy with Jesus! Did He know about all the things that must be done to host a Thanksgiving meal in the middle of Christmas shopping, while keeping up with all the usual goings on of the household? The answer, of course, is yes. He knows we easily get caught up in all the details, pressured by all the expectations, and overwhelmed by all the doings. That is exactly why He invites us to come to Him.
We see this truth repeated throughout scripture. When Moses felt under pressure as he led the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land, he sought the Lord and prayed. God answered:
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14 ESV).
The prophet, Isaiah, encouraged the people with these words from God in Isaiah 41:10 (ESV):
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
When Martha panicked in all the preparations, she begged Jesus to tell Mary to help. However, Jesus taught Martha that the most important thing is to sit in His presence. And, Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) echoes this truth, saying:
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus is our peace. He provides rest for our souls. He strengthens us, helps us, and holds us. He is our strength and our shield. No matter the pressures, the distractions, and the expectations, we must seek God first, draw near to Him, sit in His presence, and listen to His truth. Then we can experience peace, even in the chaos.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV)
Let’s not approach this week, and this season, with stress and self-reliance. Instead, may we approach our Father in heaven each day, in the name of Jesus, and by the power of His Holy Spirit. May we sit in His presence, welcome His words, trust His character, and receive His promises of peace, rest, and strength before we draft one more stroke on our lists of things to remember.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Psalm 28:7; Matthew 11:28-30; Exodus 33:14; Isaiah 26:3-4, 41:10; Luke 10:38-42; Hebrews 4:16
