God's Faithfulness in Rest
The last three weeks have been an exhausting sprint. I've been consumed by a number of projects, each with its own urgency, and travel which necessitated two roundtrips in one week. My exhaustion was real, to the point I had trouble sleeping which only added to the difficulty. The interesting thing is that I wasn't alone. When the men's group I am in on Wednesday evenings met this last week, we were all in the same place - worn out. Our pre-session talk revolved around how tired and exhausted we were.
Finally, we got into the purpose of the evening and to our surprise, our condition was on God's heart. He ministered to us, sharing His rest and peace, those which reside in His very nature. We spent nearly two hours in His presence, soaking in everything He had for us, both experiencing and gaining a level of understanding of His rest. After all, the hardest thing He has ever done, He has done from a position of complete rest. Our time was as if we had been dipped in an elixir of all-consuming peace. Yet, we knew at its end that the next day and its challenges were waiting for us just a few hours away.
Except it wasn't. It is Sunday morning as I write this and the days since our session have been quiet, peaceful, and restful. It is as if I have been set free in an oasis of peace, tranquility, and rest. There has been no worry, no stress, no hurry, no striving. Only rest. This is not a coincidence. It is instead evidence of God's faithfulness to His Word.
Exodus 33:14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Psalm 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalm 116:7 Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
Isaiah 14:3a When the LORD has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve
Jeremiah 31:26 At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me
Ezekiel 34:15 "I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down," declares the Lord GOD.
Mat 11:28-30 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Yeshua knows our trials and He is a faithful shepherd, even to the point of ministering to us through His presence and peace when we need it.
How wonderful it is to be in His care.
Shalom