I have a word for you this Monday morning – “YES!” Sunday evening found me tired and in that weariness I was overwhelmed, thinking of a hundred reasons I could not do this, why I should not attempt to do that thing, dreading a new week. I went to bed allowing defeat to play it’s melancholy theme in my mind. But, sometime in the middle of the night the Spirit whispered His wisdom to my heart about the misplaced focus of my intentions and He reminded me that God’s “Yes,” should not be refused nor limited by my perception of abilities.
We could explore the reasons that “No” is so much more common than “Yes” but I think you would agree that the common human experience is one in which we are told – by our own mind, by others – about all the limits and barriers- that because we are too … old, young, small, poor … we should not think we can really do what we dream. I join with the Spirit of God to speak a word to you this morning – “Yes!”
You can love that difficult person – Yes!You can overcome that habit – Yes!
You can make a real difference – Yes!
You are a person that matters to God – Yes!
Here is how Paul expressed this to the Corinthian church. "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (2 Corinthians 1:20-22, NIV)
Some in that church had accused him of failing to follow through on his word, that he had made promises he did not keep. He explains that hardship and discernment caused him to change his plans, but that God’s promises are not subject to change. When God says Yes to us, receiving us, giving us salvation, it is a yes that nothing in this world can change.
So, as you start a new week, if a melancholy song of doubt and/or defeat is the mood music of your day, hit the pause button and let God’s “Yes” inspire hope, renew life, and restore the color to your vision! Thank Him that He is greater than your failures, that He has resourced you with what you need to meet the challenges ahead, that He is present for you right where you are.
Meditate on this passage that is so rich with promise for each one of us who are ‘in Christ Jesus.’ It is our word from the Word today. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)
Immeasurably more than all we ask – now that is a big “Yes!”
_________
Thrive (crank up the volume and let Casting Crowns lift you up)
Here in this worn and weary land
Where many a dream has died
Like a tree planted by the water
We never will run dry
So living water flowing through
God we thirst for more of You
Fill our hearts and flood our souls
With one desire
Just to know You and to make You known
We lift Your name on high
Shine like the sun make darkness run and hide
We know we were made for so much more
Than ordinary lives
It's time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive
Into Your Word we're digging deep
To know our Father's heart
Into the world we're reaching out
To show them who You are
Joy unspeakable
Faith unsinkable
Love unstoppable
Anything is possible
We were made to thrive
Mark Hall | Matthew West © 2014 My Refuge Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
CCLI License # 810055
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