Reluctant Retiree

Where is the most secure place you have ever been? Perhaps, you felt secure in the arms of a loved one. Maybe you need security options like reinforced walls and doors to feel secure. Perhaps, you never feel completely safe and secure, so you live in fear most of the time.

Psalm 23 gives us insight into true security while it describes where God is for the believer. “He leads me in paths of righteousness”. To do that God must be in front of us, leading the way. “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” In this picture of the shepherd, God is at our right hand and at our left hand. “You anoint my head with oil”. To do that, God remains above us. And, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”. His goodness and mercy emanate from Him as He follows with us.

His love surrounds us, so we can rest in peace and security, knowing that He protects us at all times and in every circumstance.

We have all watched a marathon race where someone jumps out to a quick lead. The runner may hold the lead for a long time, but fades near the end, so that someone else wins the race. The runner was quick but did not have the endurance to continue running fast for the whole race.

Hebrews 12:12-13 says, “Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen you weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” Life is a marathon. Unfortunately, we often treat it as a sprint. We work hard at doing the right things, but do not have the strength within ourselves to continue to do the right things for long.

We need help! God promises to provide the help we need to endure in doing righteousness. He comes to live within the life of each believer in the form of His Holy Spirit. It is by the Holy Spirit’s power that we can endure. Therefore, accept the gift of the Holy Spirit by faith, and be made strong for endurance in righteousness.

As I began my hike this morning, I noticed the cool breeze. It seemed to bring refreshment to my body as I walked. I felt stronger than the day before and my attitude improved. Like a cold drink on a hot day, the breeze renewed my soul.

II Corinthians 4:16-17 says, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” For the believer, God is constantly at work within us to renew and refresh our souls. Though we are getting older and our bodies are wasting away with time, God is bringing health and vitality to our inner lives. So much is He working within us that our afflictions seem small and the rewards are beyond comparison to anything that we receive in the world.

How many rewards programs are you involved with? Reward programs are everywhere. Hotels, airlines, online shopping companies, and even grocery stores offer inducements to get your loyalty. Most are great, if properly utilized. But have you tapped into the greatest reward program offered anywhere?

Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” God offers us the best rewards that we can find anywhere, and He freely gives these rewards. However, they are only available by faith in seeking God. These rewards include salvation, redemption, goodness, peace, eternal life, hope, joy and abundant love. Sign up today by giving your life to the God who loves you.

We share the closest friendships with those who have similar values and interests. Those who pretend to be our friends but whose behaviors indicate that they have self-interests only, are relegated to a less close relationship. We shouldn’t ignore them completely and not express interest in them, but we would naturally spend less time with them and not consider them close friends.

Hebrews 10:22 says, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” God is holy. Therefore, in order to draw near to God, we must come to Him truly desiring to know Him and with a sincere faith that He will lead us in His goodness and mercy. Sharing God’s values allows us to grow close to Him.