“Are You Resting?”
For some reason getting rest physically, as well as spiritual rest is something that many people wrestle with. If we are not in a state of rest in our hearts and minds it can also affect our physical rest. Worry and anxiety has a way to keep us up at night tossing and turning. Some may need some source of medication, recreational drugs, liquor, or some other form of sleeping aid to help them fall asleep. But these are simply bandaids that cannot get to the root of the issue. The issue, if not dealt with, will continue to eat at us, and ultimately win the battle of our hearts and minds.
God's word is so powerful that it offers us not only rest for our physical bodies but rest for our souls.
In Psalms 3:5 David said “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Many people may not realize that when David wrote most of Psalms he it was war time and he was being attacked by the enemy. But this scripture indicates that he actually was able to rest physically in the midst of war because God was protecting him on all sides and David was certain that he would be ok.
Hebrews 4: 12 New Living Translation (NLT)
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
As humans most times we truly and sincerely believe we are operating from a certain place. We can often believe that what we are sensing and feeling is right. But Hebrews 4:12 explains how God will go to a place within us were who we are at the moment, our true motives and desires lies and begin to really do a work in us and clean us up…
During a time of prayer and fasting it is an opportunity to lay our petitions before the Lord, and cast our cares on the Lord. But more importantly it is a time to seek Gods face which will ultimately give us rest for our souls and ultimately physical rest.
Also during the time of prayer and fasting it is important to know that prayer is not transactional, it is relational. God does hear our prayers as Matthew 6:8 says that God knows what we need before we ask him. But we have to understand that God’s timing is not our timing. And that His way of doing things is not the same as our way of doing things. (Isaiah 55:8-9) And God is sovereign and does whatever He pleases however He want to do things, whenever He wants to do it. (Psalm 115:3 and Job 23:13)
Prayer will give us an opportunity to build up our faith, and strength in the Lord which ultimately builds our relationship with God. Without building a relationship with God no matter what we pray for it will be a difficult journey to peace, and rest.
How de we rest?
Matthew 11: 28- 30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].
Let go.
Proverbs 29:11 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Sin is simply when we are not trusting in God and doing things our way ie. how we think, some of our actions, some of the things we say, some of the ways that speak to others).
Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Trust God
Rest in Him