From the Word:  Restoring my soul (from Psalm 23)
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside ‘waters of rest’, He restores my soul…”  (Psalm 23:2,3 NASB)

Lord, what do I need right now - comfort? encouragement? motivation? admonition? rebuke? exhortation? chastisement?  You know what I need better than I do.  If it was up to me, I would probably try to give me an incentive from the rear.  Ahhh, but You provide very practical help from the side!  The ox, the yoke; that’s where I want to be, Lord.  You say there is rest in being yoked with You! (Matt 11:29)  Now that is an amazing thought:  a yoke is supposed to be an implement of labor, yet You call me to join with You in Your yoke in order to experience rest!  Talk about encouragement - that is “en-heartening”!

Only You, Lord Jesus, can make labor an activity that produces rest.  I can see that; it makes sense.  Just as an athlete is invigorated, even refreshed,  in the exertion demanded by his routine,  I am able to feel Your strength pulling us along as I keep stride with You in the yoke and sense the surging of Your strength through the yoke from Your side to mine.

Lord, may I yoke up with You and hang on - and rest, experiencing the restoration of my soul that Your strength provides.  May I honor You with my faith, trusting You alongside me (or should I say me alongside You) - and may You give me the wisdom and courage that I will need for today.  Amen.

Please pray with us:
December 1st is World Aids Day.  I will be attending a prayer gathering in Philadelphia tomorrow morning that will address this global problem, specifically focusing on the impact of HIV/AIDS here in the Philly metro area.  Please pray along with us for your own community, as well as for the ongoing problem around the world.  Since 2004 Saddleback Church (pastored by Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life) has been mobilizing prayer and other resources and encouraging the body of Christ to be actively engaged in addressing the AIDS epidemic.   “HIV/AIDS is still the greatest humanitarian crisis of all time, killing millions every year and leaving millions of orphaned and vulnerable children behind.” (- Kay Warren, Rick’s wife).  You can check out the Saddleback website for more information as to what they are doing not just on Dec 1st but throughout the year.

Thanks.

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