God’s Rest

Trust means resting – resting in the fact that God is in control, that He loves you, that He will work all things out for your ultimate good, and that He will equip with with all you need to do the works He has called you to do. God’s rest brings peace, contentment, and joy.

“So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”  Hebrews 4:9
“Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28

There is a rest to come – heaven!  But there is also the ability to rest here and now in spite of the circumstances. In the midst of raising kids, going to the office, taking care of older parents, meeting the needs of the family, and occasionally finding time for yourself, there is rest. Rest is an easiness of heart. It is quieting the mind and soul and meditating on Jesus and the word.  Rest comes with praise and with relinquishment of those things that we cannot change, but that we just put into God’s hands.

In Psalm 131 we read, “O Lord, my heart is not proud, not my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me.” Allowing a baby to rest against your heart will remind you of the rest that we get when we relax against Jesus. In the picture our youngest granddaughter, Natalie, sleeps soundly in Grandpa’s arms.

Psalm 138:8 says, “The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”

If God, who is everlasting, has it under control then my worry and busyness is not going to help but may hinder. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  Another version says, “Cease striving…”  Allow yourself times of rest. That may be at 5:00 in the morning or 12:00 at night. Elizabeth Wesley, mother of ten, found rest by sitting at the table and putting her apron over her head! The kids knew that the apron meant that mom was praying, and they needed to be quiet. Set a time and place where you can rest – a walk, a nap, a movie. But also rest in Jesus. He’s got you!

Still your mind that God may steal your heart!

Hint for the Day: When our kids were younger and we were homeschooling we had an enforced rest period for one hour after lunch each day. The little ones napped, the toddlers looked at books or did puzzles, the older ones could play quietly in their rooms, and mom went to her room to rest, read, soak, or get dressed and put on her make-up! When we regrouped afterwards, we were refreshed and ready to deal with each other again. Even your kids need a break from siblings. The days that the rest time didn’t happen, there were more fights, more complaining, and I know I was more tired and irritable. Rest – a daily need.