Friday, September 2 – Revelation 14:13

And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”

When we endure difficulty, it’s common to wonder, Is this worth it? We ask this question to help us assess if we should keep moving forward or give up entirely. If there is no benefit to something that is causing pain, what is the point? In our relationship with God, there are times when we are burnt out from serving, stung by friends in the church, and overwhelmed by the cost of being a disciple. In those moments of exhaustion, hurt, and questions we may find ourselves asking, “Is this worth it?” If you took a poll of several people around you, you would get a wide variety of responses but when you look at the Bible, the living Word of God that has stood the test of time and holds God’s truth to us, you see a resounding “Yes!”

The challenges of Scripture can be difficult, and the struggles of life are painful, but hope in Christ is more than a quick fix or a temporary solution. He heals our hearts today and gives us hope for eternity. We do not have to brag or get the credit for our actions because He sees us, knows us, and will give us rest as we follow Him for today and forever. How precious is this magnificent gift He has given us? We can endure as we run this race He has marked out for us because we know that He renews our strength today and always (Isaiah 40:31; Hebrews 12:1).

• Have there been moments in your faith when you have thought, Is this worth it? What was that like?
• How does it encourage you to remember that rest in God is a promise for today and eternity?
• Pray and ask God to remind you of the rest in Him that is promised for today and forever.