A Season of Thankfulness: Day 9 - The God of Rest - Denise Pass
by | Nov 9, 2015 | Believers, Body of Christ, Chosen, Christian, Christian Encouragement, Christianity, Church, counseling, Count Your Blessings, culture, God, Gratitude, Healing, inspiration, Isaac, Israelites, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jewish, Joyful living |
Ezekiel 20:12, 20
“I also gave them my Sabbaths as a reminder of our relationship, so that they would know that I, the LORD, sanctify them. 20 Treat my Sabbaths as holy and they will be a reminder of our relationship, and then you will know that I am the LORD your God.”
Psalm 127:2
“It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food. Yes, he can provide for those whom he loves even when they sleep.”
Isaiah 30:15
“For this is what the master, the LORD, the Holy One of Israel says: “If you repented and patiently waited for me, you would be delivered; if you calmly trusted in me you would find strength, but you are unwilling.”
Many religions of this world mandate earning salvation by good works. Rules are made and conditions set that must be met. But those who walk with Christ are pardoned by the only true living God, not by their good works, but by the confession of their mouth, professing their need for salvation. The One Who set the righteous standard is the only One Who could meet it, too.
God’s provision of salvation for all of His creation was an invitation to rest. This is completely opposite from any other man-made religion which places the emphasis on us or on anything that we could offer to the one perfect One.
The rest God offers is not so we could become lazy or take for granted His amazing gift, but so we could take time to slow down and know Him. It is a reminder of the goodness of God who invites us to simply trust in Him instead of ourselves.
God wants to fight our battles and take care of us; to hide us in the shadow of His wings. Our greatest joy is found in complete dependence upon Him.
It is a curious thing that the God of this universe would choose to rest when He did not need to. He leads us by example and is faithful in all His ways, showing us the way so we can follow. In resting in God, we renew our strength and faith and recognize our frailty before an all-powerful God. We are just a vapor, a mist here for awhile, but God is the great I AM, the Eternal God.
Lord, thank you for the gift of rest. Help us to rest in You and to never forget our relationship with You is deepened when we pause to focus on You in this weary, busy world.
