Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Nov 30, 2008 22:00:35 GMT -5
FINDING REST WITH GOD
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1.
Well God gave me that verse last night as I drove home from my mother-in-law’s house. This was in large letters on the board in front of an Anglican Church near a busy road junction; and I read from it as I waited for the traffic lights to turn green. God has been speaking to me about rest quite a lot these last few days.
It is almost December and the frenetic Christmas Season will soon be upon us. A week ago I was thinking to myself how busy things will be for me and my family this year. I was wondering how much time I would really have that wasn’t filled with busyness. What with the Christmas Shopping, work parties, catching up with friends and loved ones and of course trying to get all things done at work before the year’s end.
A few of years ago I really struggled at this time. It was in December 2005 and things were really not going that well for me; especially with work where I was buckling under the pressure to get two major projects finished as well as support the ailing IT infrastructure. And the stresses of Christmas just added to the mix. That was before I gave my life to Christ.
It seems this time of the year that we have so many things to do which all keep us away from spending time with God and reading his Word. But in all this we must put God first. Then all the rest will follow. Matthew 6:33 tells us, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
As I was thinking about the busy time ahead the other day I felt God speaking to me through Psalm 46:10 “Be Still and Know that I am God.” Yes, we need to somehow be still and take time out from the rat race that is the build up to Christmas. That same day as I was walking to my office from the railway station I paused at the window of a Christian bookshop and read from the open King James Bible, “Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.” As I pondered on this verse I could feel God was saying to me to return to him for rest. The Lord has indeed been bountiful (good) to me.
Then when I sat down at my desk I read from my calendar the words of Ruth 3:9 “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.” Again this is the context of rest. In the verses preceding this one Ruth asks if she can rest under the garment of Boaz following the instructions of her mother-in-law Naomi. She had spent the days in the fields behind Boaz and his men. Boaz replies by asking the Lord to bless her and he lets her lie at his feet all night after telling her it is clear she is a woman of noble character. Boaz also says that a redeemer greater than he is nearer to Ruth. Yes, we have a mighty kinsman-redeemer in Jesus Christ, and he wants us to rest under his garment. His Word tells us Matthew 11:28 “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Wow, God was really talking to me this day about resting.
So how can we find rest with God? Myself I make sure I spend some time alone with God during the day. Since I get up really early for work I always aim to sit with the Lord under a tree in the park; praying or reading from my Bible. I believe the best way is to have some God time each day. Time for prayer, reflection, reading and devotion. When we are struggling we can always find rest in God; and come to him in prayer. Pray always and be anxious for nothing! Rest in the Lord and put your hope and trust in him. He is more than able to help us when we are tired and weary.
Father God, I thank you so much for all the things you have spoken to me about finding rest in you. Thank you that we can come to you with our burdens and give them to you. Thank you Lord that when we are tired we can rest under your garment. I pray now that you will give each one of us the times of rest we need, including sound sleep each night and the refreshment of the Holy Spirit each day. As your Word says if we drink of you then streams of living water will flow in us. Grant us wisdom Father to know when to rest, and grant us the discernment to hear your small still voice that guides us into all truth. I pray especially over this Christmas time that we won’t feel the worldly stresses and strains; but instead that we have the comfort and peace of God within us all. Help us to live as you would and to be blessings to all we meet; in particular the lost of this world. May your will be done. Thank you Jesus and in your name I pray, AMEN.
God bless you all.
© MARK CHATWIN
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1.
Well God gave me that verse last night as I drove home from my mother-in-law’s house. This was in large letters on the board in front of an Anglican Church near a busy road junction; and I read from it as I waited for the traffic lights to turn green. God has been speaking to me about rest quite a lot these last few days.
It is almost December and the frenetic Christmas Season will soon be upon us. A week ago I was thinking to myself how busy things will be for me and my family this year. I was wondering how much time I would really have that wasn’t filled with busyness. What with the Christmas Shopping, work parties, catching up with friends and loved ones and of course trying to get all things done at work before the year’s end.
A few of years ago I really struggled at this time. It was in December 2005 and things were really not going that well for me; especially with work where I was buckling under the pressure to get two major projects finished as well as support the ailing IT infrastructure. And the stresses of Christmas just added to the mix. That was before I gave my life to Christ.
It seems this time of the year that we have so many things to do which all keep us away from spending time with God and reading his Word. But in all this we must put God first. Then all the rest will follow. Matthew 6:33 tells us, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
As I was thinking about the busy time ahead the other day I felt God speaking to me through Psalm 46:10 “Be Still and Know that I am God.” Yes, we need to somehow be still and take time out from the rat race that is the build up to Christmas. That same day as I was walking to my office from the railway station I paused at the window of a Christian bookshop and read from the open King James Bible, “Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.” As I pondered on this verse I could feel God was saying to me to return to him for rest. The Lord has indeed been bountiful (good) to me.
Then when I sat down at my desk I read from my calendar the words of Ruth 3:9 “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.” Again this is the context of rest. In the verses preceding this one Ruth asks if she can rest under the garment of Boaz following the instructions of her mother-in-law Naomi. She had spent the days in the fields behind Boaz and his men. Boaz replies by asking the Lord to bless her and he lets her lie at his feet all night after telling her it is clear she is a woman of noble character. Boaz also says that a redeemer greater than he is nearer to Ruth. Yes, we have a mighty kinsman-redeemer in Jesus Christ, and he wants us to rest under his garment. His Word tells us Matthew 11:28 “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Wow, God was really talking to me this day about resting.
So how can we find rest with God? Myself I make sure I spend some time alone with God during the day. Since I get up really early for work I always aim to sit with the Lord under a tree in the park; praying or reading from my Bible. I believe the best way is to have some God time each day. Time for prayer, reflection, reading and devotion. When we are struggling we can always find rest in God; and come to him in prayer. Pray always and be anxious for nothing! Rest in the Lord and put your hope and trust in him. He is more than able to help us when we are tired and weary.
Father God, I thank you so much for all the things you have spoken to me about finding rest in you. Thank you that we can come to you with our burdens and give them to you. Thank you Lord that when we are tired we can rest under your garment. I pray now that you will give each one of us the times of rest we need, including sound sleep each night and the refreshment of the Holy Spirit each day. As your Word says if we drink of you then streams of living water will flow in us. Grant us wisdom Father to know when to rest, and grant us the discernment to hear your small still voice that guides us into all truth. I pray especially over this Christmas time that we won’t feel the worldly stresses and strains; but instead that we have the comfort and peace of God within us all. Help us to live as you would and to be blessings to all we meet; in particular the lost of this world. May your will be done. Thank you Jesus and in your name I pray, AMEN.
God bless you all.
© MARK CHATWIN