Relief

There are some days when I need relief. I feel spent emotionally and physically on some days. On days that are hard, I look forward to some relief sitting in my chair resting and relaxing. Relief is a bit of a variable. What might be relief for me, might possibly be frustration and stress to someone else. A significant part of the definition of relief involves deliverance. There are situations and struggles that I need to be delivered from. Most often, the Lord is the One Who can deliver me.

Isaiah was God’s prophet to the people of Israel. They were in captivity and it was hard, but relief was on the way. Check this out….

⁸ This is what the Lord says:

“At just the right time, I will respond to you.
    On the day of salvation I will help you.
I will protect you and give you to the people
    as my covenant with them.
Through you I will reestablish the land of Israel
    and assign it to its own people again.
⁹ I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’
    and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’
They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures
    and on hills that were previously bare.
¹⁰ They will neither hunger nor thirst.
    The searing sun will not reach them anymore.
For the Lord in his mercy will lead them;
    he will lead them beside cool waters.
¹¹ And I will make my mountains into level paths for them.
    The highways will be raised above the valleys.

¹³ Sing for joy, O heavens!
    Rejoice, O earth!
    Burst into song, O mountains!
For the Lord has comforted his people
    and will have compassion on them in their suffering. (Isaiah 49:8-11,13 NLT)

I love reading God’s Word in the morning. I feel like He helps me mentally prepare for my day. He speaks to me through His Word. He settles my anxious heart. His Presence is a huge relief as I leave the comfort of my home and go to work. Today is Friday and the last day of the regular work week for me. We have some dinner plans and weekend plans, and this shakes up routine. I will still look forward to the end of the day when I can relax and rest. I find relief when I feel the Presence of God residing in my heart. I’m so thankful that He is patient with me as I figure out the huge value of His Presence in me. I can’t find the words to describe how it feels,  but relief is a word that begins to shed light upon that feeling of peace and comfort that He brings. I’m going to live today out of the relief He brings me with His Presence.

Pressing On!

Dwayne