The "re-" words

I have been prayerfully pondering a strong thought for some weeks now, something that I believe God is speaking as a theme for this new year.

Re-!

The work of the enemy of our souls is always negative--you know, the 'de-' words.  Defeat. Despair. Destroy. Depress. Jesus warned us of this in John 10:10:  "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and destroy."

Have you experienced any of these attacks this year?  I have.  Some days it was hard to keep my head above water and remember that Jesus had all the strength and help I needed for every situation.

But the Lord has been reminding me that He is the Redeemer!  He has 'bought back' every kind of destruction that can come against me and turn it into Life.  The second half of that verse describes it:  "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

When you think about it, redemption is a package deal, absolutely everything I need or ever will need. It's a "re-" word that encompasses all the others. "Re-" means "go back to, again, anew."  Only in Jesus, He doesn't just take us back to where we were derailed. He takes us up into His realm of resurrection life--the superabundance, overflowing, more-than-enough, extraordinary supply of His redeeming work on the cross.

Restore.

Renew.

Repair.

Rebuild.

Replenish.

Recover.

Refresh.

Revive.

Recompense.

Return.

Doesn't that just make your heart sing?  It does mine.  I desperately need this precious and powerful work of the Holy Spirit over this year.  I'm looking for it in all my needy situations, asking for it, thanking Him for it.

May He quicken this truth to your heart today, in whatever place of challenge you find yourself, and give you new and fresh encouragement for 2016!