Daily Renewal

MidYear Renewal!
Terry R. Baughman

“So no wonder we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day” (2 Corinthians 4:16 TPT).

It is the end of a long week and we can easily feel exhausted, depleted of energy and ready for a day off, or at least a short nap. Sometimes, we are overcome with the stress of life, the demands of our job, and the feeling that everyone around us needs something from us. Then, the phone rings, there’s a knock at the door, or an urgent notification pops up on the screen. We mumble, “No rest for the wicked, and the righteous don’t need it.”

This is life. Maybe it’s not always like that, but there are times when it’s easy to feel that way. The life of a Christian is no different. Yes, we do have the privilege of prayer as we navigate the challenges of life, but we are not immune to the pressures of responsibility or the stress of conflict. We actually may experience more than our share of conflict because of our faith and the spiritual battles that ensue. 

Paul wrote about this very thing, “We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out” (2 Corinthians 4:9 TPT). In other letters Paul wrote about potential adversities such as, “tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword,” but declared that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. (See Romans 8:35 NKJ.) Paul affirmed, “We have great endurance in hardships and in persecutions. We don’t lose courage in a time of stress and calamity” (2 Corinthians 6:4 TPT).

Jesus gave us a model and an example of prayer. Luke recorded this familiar phrase in petition for daily sustenance, “Give us day by day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3 NKJ). Prayers are continual and petitions go up daily. This demonstrates our constant dependence upon God.  From now until eternity we will find ourselves in need of prayer and continually seeking divine guidance. 

Similar to the daily provision of manna in the wilderness, God’s mercies are new every morning. (See Lamentations 3:22-24.) Each day in the wilderness the people of Israel went out and gathered provisions for the day. Every morning there was fresh provision to meet their needs. On the sixth day there was sufficient manna for two days so that they might rest and observe the Sabbath. This demonstrated God’s care for their needs in advance, and giving them a day for rest, reflection, and worship. We can be assured of God’s constant care and provision as we honor Him daily. There is always enough strength for the day. 

We are challenged to rejoice even in persecution. The apostles found an inner resource of strength when they were beaten for preaching and performing miracles in the name of Jesus. They rejoiced, “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41 NKJ). The beating and the threats were simply fuel to the fire. They continued, “daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:42 NKJ).

Paul said, “We may suffer, yet in every season we are always found rejoicing. We may be poor, yet we bestow great riches on many. We seem to have nothing, yet in reality we possess all things” (2 Corinthians 6:10 TPT). We may not see the future, but we have enough grace for this day. We may not think we can accomplish what others have done, yet day by day we are renewed in the Spirit and find enough strength to accomplish every task. 

Again, Paul wrote, “Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times. … Speak blessing, not cursing, over those who reject and persecute you” (Romans 12:12, 14 TPT). There is no time for giving up; there are countless opportunities ahead. Keep believing. Remember, “Our inner being is renewed every single day.” 

​Theme passage:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJ).