TIMES OF REFRESHING

The Bible says that ‘to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven’ (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

There is a season of dryness and that of refreshing. As you study the Bible closely, every individual or group of individuals that enjoyed times of refreshing had to go through some difficult and arid times. However, it is God’s desire to bring times of refreshing to His children.

In Exodus 15, during the journey through the desert, God brought the Israelites to Elim. The Bible describes this as a place of twelve (12) wells of water and seventy (70) palm trees, and there the children of Israel rested. Now let us analyze some facts.

The number twelve (12) signifies governmental perfection, establishment and stability. Seventy (70) as it were is 7 x 10. Seven (7) is spiritual perfection, completeness and resurrection. Ten (10) is divine perfection, testimony and responsibility. Elim is therefore truly a state of perfection. It is the point where God wants to restore unto us all lost years (resurrection); a place where he establishes us and a place where he brings everything to completion. We will then have a testimony in our mouth (Revelation 12:11) to destroy the work of the devil.

There are phases of refreshing, that is, stages where God will comfort you while you are on your way to the Promised Land. The Promised Land, that is, the realization of God’s will in your life, is the ultimate point of REST.

Characteristics of Refreshment
1. Shade: A shady place prevents you from direct strike of the sun (Psalm 121:6). In the tropical world, where the sun’s heat is most times unbearable, people do all they can to run into shady areas. There you get relief and rest. There you refresh or refuel to be able to carry on. You feel better, breathe better, and able to perform.
2. Water: At Elim, there were also brooks of water. Water brings refreshment. Jesus said that ‘… he that believes in me shall never thirst again’ John 6:35. Jesus is the source of life. The Samaritan woman would be the best person to testify what refreshment she needed in her time of thirst (John 4; 7:38).

Results of Refreshment
1. You can think better
2. You can act better
3. You can strategize better
4. You can accomplish better

God brings us times of refreshment so we can do better than our present state. He refuels us to be able to accomplish much. I believe this is a time of refreshing for me, IPC and whoever is reading this article.

God desires to bring us to a place of rest to refuel. He wants to re-energize, re-vitalize, re-fresh, re-engage and re-enable us. He wants us to carry on and be able to accomplish the purpose of our calling. Jesus was refreshed after his forty (40) day fast. The Bible says that angels came to minister unto him (Matthew 4:11), which represents his time of refreshing. Similarly, Elijah had to eat what God provided through an angel (1 Kings 19) – a time of refreshing that carried him through his 40-day assignment. Last, the unnamed Amalekite who brought David news about his family’s abduction could only be of help when he received water and food (refreshment) from David’s men.

God is bringing you to your place of rest, your Elim. Prepare yourself for this is your time!

God bless you and take time to enjoy your REST!