“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”
(Mark 6:31, NLT)
(Mark 6:31, NLT)
**** Just wanted to let my web site friends know that I will be having major surgery today, February 5th. It will be a very painful surgery with a long recovery. Doctor's orders require me not to type on a computer or even sit hunched for two or more weeks. I could sure use your prayers for God to be with my doctor during surgery, and with me during healing. I'll be back with more meditations soon, God-willing!
There is an old saying that goes something like this: “Satan covets a tired man and uses him; God rests a tired man and inspires him.” Satan and God use rest very differently. Where Satan would gladly fill a tired mind with all sorts of bad ideas that might tempt a person to do the wrong things, God would rather take the tired man to healing waters.
The scriptures are full of God’s ideas for holy rest. Even the Ten Commandments contain the demand to “remember the sabbath (day of rest) and make it holy” (Exodus 20:8). Holy rest involves time to let go of worldly burdens and hold tightly to God’s promises. Holy rest fills the soul with peace and calm that defies worldly busy-ness and mad rushes. Holy rest occurs only when you put your soul at ease in the arms of the Almighty.
People in our Bible knew well the need for the soul and body and mind to rest. David wrote in Psalm 23 that “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.” (Psalm 23:1–3). The New Testament book of Hebrews explains twice that those who are disobedient before God, those who are living in sin, will “not enter God’s rest” (Hebrews 3:11,18). A holy rest in God’s presence is a crucial part of the spiritual life. Jesus taught the following: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Why, even God the Father took time on the seventh day of creation to be at rest (Genesis 2:2)! Holy rest is not only a commandment of God but also a spiritual necessity. You need it!
There comes a story from medieval England. In those days, a monk named Brother Hugh realized he was becoming irritable and exhausted. As the sun went down, Brother Hugh had a long talk with God. Feeling weary, the brother went to sleep. While sleeping, he received a vision of a wise old man who encouraged him to take time to rest. In that vision, he was told that God’s love is like a gentle blanket that comforts you in sleep and keeps you warm on a cool night. The next day, Brother Hugh shared this vision with his fellow monks, reminding them that even God intended for His servants to balance work with rest. It is said that for the first time in a long time, those monks found renewed joy and energy to serve God after accepting the need for holy rest under a blanket of God’s love.
So many on this earth do not realize the importance of holy rest. All too many believe that rest is for the weak; rest is a sign of laziness; rest is a weakness. Workaholics might make fun of those who stop work to pray. Those with a Type A personality look down on those who dare to take time to reconnect with God. I’ve even had church people tell me that I shouldn’t take a day off during the week, because there are always people who need prayer, hospital visits that need to be done, and souls that need saving. Sadly, those who believe that holy rest is not a command of God will never see the need or purpose of just resting in the presence of the Almighty.
A young pastor was excited to lead his first church. Wanting desperately to succeed in his ministry, the pastor spent eight weeks before Easter visiting dozens of perspective members, beginning a new Bible Study series, initiating several new committees, and even doing maintenance on the church building. Two days before Easter, the young pastor was so tired that he felt he was sleepwalking to a meeting with the head of the Women’s Group, Margaret.
During that meeting, the pastor began with prayer, only to launch into a long soliloquy on all the new things the Women’s Group might want to do after Easter. Margaret smiled and listened patiently. Then, the pastor began to share all the needs in the congregation that the women might help fix. Margaret nodded her head and continued smiling. After ten minutes doing all the talking, the pastor asked, “Don’t you have any thoughts on the matter?”
Margaret replied, “Pastor, let’s take the time to let this sink in. Let’s also take some time to pray for God’s leading.” The pastor, feeling the need for direct action, responded, “We need to get going on all these things. Time waits for no man!”
Margaret smiled and said, “Pastor, are you tired and frazzled?”
Taken back, the pastor replied, “Why, of course not! I am full of energy for God today. I can’t wait for the women’s group to join me in taking on some new projects! Doesn’t this sound great?”
Margaret smiled again and said, “Pastor, sometimes God wants us to stop, take a breath, and just rest in His holiness.”
Frustrated at the woman’s seeming lack of “get-up-and-go”, the pastor replied, “Our church needs to get out there and get things done!”
Smiling all the more, Margaret said, “I know we need to get things done, Pastor, but sometimes we need to take a step back and let God take the lead. For example, instead of working yourself half to death with a “Go! Go! Go!” attitude, it might help if you take the time to put on two matching shoes before you go to work!”
In his hurried state, the pastor had thrown on his slippers instead of his shoes, and the two slippers were not even matching! Margaret was right!
Today’s scripture for this meditation contains Jesus’ suggestion for His disciples. After a difficult week, which included the beheading of John the Baptist, Jesus knew He and His disciples needed to rest. They needed to let go of the work, take time to grieve, and spend some alone time with God. Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” (Mark 6:31). There will be times that Jesus will be saying the same to you! During moments of suffering, pain, grieving, or long hours of work, don’t be surprised if Jesus encourages you to go to a quiet place with Him and rest awhile.
When the faithful die, it is often remarked in eulogies that they have “entered their eternal rest”. However, long before you do that, Jesus may want you to take time to go away to a quiet place with Him. Jesus may want to calm you down, ease your burden, or take time to recharge. Everyone needs holy rest with God. You need time to recharge those spiritual batteries. God knows, a little rest with Jesus will go a long way toward bringing needed peace and joy to heart and soul.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord God, help me to know when I need to work and when I need to rest. Help me to maintain a holy balance in life. Restore my soul when I am weary. Remind me to stop and pray when I am frazzled!
Our world has forgotten what it means to rest in Your arms. People are too busy taking on debt, worrying about money, or gathering wealth. Their quiet time is filled with social media, entertainment, computers and smartphones. They care more about “likes” and “views” than they do about the poor and needy. They are too quick to make purchases and too easy to manipulate through advertisements.
I pray for sanity to return to the earth. May people find truth in Your Word. Let the gospel open their eyes to the meaning of Christ’s life.
I give You thanks for everything You do. I love You for redeeming my soul. I cherish those quiet moments in Your presence.
Some day soon, I will breathe my last breath. Let that not be the first time I rest my soul in Your arms. In Jesus Christ, I have hope. Amen.
The scriptures are full of God’s ideas for holy rest. Even the Ten Commandments contain the demand to “remember the sabbath (day of rest) and make it holy” (Exodus 20:8). Holy rest involves time to let go of worldly burdens and hold tightly to God’s promises. Holy rest fills the soul with peace and calm that defies worldly busy-ness and mad rushes. Holy rest occurs only when you put your soul at ease in the arms of the Almighty.
People in our Bible knew well the need for the soul and body and mind to rest. David wrote in Psalm 23 that “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.” (Psalm 23:1–3). The New Testament book of Hebrews explains twice that those who are disobedient before God, those who are living in sin, will “not enter God’s rest” (Hebrews 3:11,18). A holy rest in God’s presence is a crucial part of the spiritual life. Jesus taught the following: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Why, even God the Father took time on the seventh day of creation to be at rest (Genesis 2:2)! Holy rest is not only a commandment of God but also a spiritual necessity. You need it!
There comes a story from medieval England. In those days, a monk named Brother Hugh realized he was becoming irritable and exhausted. As the sun went down, Brother Hugh had a long talk with God. Feeling weary, the brother went to sleep. While sleeping, he received a vision of a wise old man who encouraged him to take time to rest. In that vision, he was told that God’s love is like a gentle blanket that comforts you in sleep and keeps you warm on a cool night. The next day, Brother Hugh shared this vision with his fellow monks, reminding them that even God intended for His servants to balance work with rest. It is said that for the first time in a long time, those monks found renewed joy and energy to serve God after accepting the need for holy rest under a blanket of God’s love.
So many on this earth do not realize the importance of holy rest. All too many believe that rest is for the weak; rest is a sign of laziness; rest is a weakness. Workaholics might make fun of those who stop work to pray. Those with a Type A personality look down on those who dare to take time to reconnect with God. I’ve even had church people tell me that I shouldn’t take a day off during the week, because there are always people who need prayer, hospital visits that need to be done, and souls that need saving. Sadly, those who believe that holy rest is not a command of God will never see the need or purpose of just resting in the presence of the Almighty.
A young pastor was excited to lead his first church. Wanting desperately to succeed in his ministry, the pastor spent eight weeks before Easter visiting dozens of perspective members, beginning a new Bible Study series, initiating several new committees, and even doing maintenance on the church building. Two days before Easter, the young pastor was so tired that he felt he was sleepwalking to a meeting with the head of the Women’s Group, Margaret.
During that meeting, the pastor began with prayer, only to launch into a long soliloquy on all the new things the Women’s Group might want to do after Easter. Margaret smiled and listened patiently. Then, the pastor began to share all the needs in the congregation that the women might help fix. Margaret nodded her head and continued smiling. After ten minutes doing all the talking, the pastor asked, “Don’t you have any thoughts on the matter?”
Margaret replied, “Pastor, let’s take the time to let this sink in. Let’s also take some time to pray for God’s leading.” The pastor, feeling the need for direct action, responded, “We need to get going on all these things. Time waits for no man!”
Margaret smiled and said, “Pastor, are you tired and frazzled?”
Taken back, the pastor replied, “Why, of course not! I am full of energy for God today. I can’t wait for the women’s group to join me in taking on some new projects! Doesn’t this sound great?”
Margaret smiled again and said, “Pastor, sometimes God wants us to stop, take a breath, and just rest in His holiness.”
Frustrated at the woman’s seeming lack of “get-up-and-go”, the pastor replied, “Our church needs to get out there and get things done!”
Smiling all the more, Margaret said, “I know we need to get things done, Pastor, but sometimes we need to take a step back and let God take the lead. For example, instead of working yourself half to death with a “Go! Go! Go!” attitude, it might help if you take the time to put on two matching shoes before you go to work!”
In his hurried state, the pastor had thrown on his slippers instead of his shoes, and the two slippers were not even matching! Margaret was right!
Today’s scripture for this meditation contains Jesus’ suggestion for His disciples. After a difficult week, which included the beheading of John the Baptist, Jesus knew He and His disciples needed to rest. They needed to let go of the work, take time to grieve, and spend some alone time with God. Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” (Mark 6:31). There will be times that Jesus will be saying the same to you! During moments of suffering, pain, grieving, or long hours of work, don’t be surprised if Jesus encourages you to go to a quiet place with Him and rest awhile.
When the faithful die, it is often remarked in eulogies that they have “entered their eternal rest”. However, long before you do that, Jesus may want you to take time to go away to a quiet place with Him. Jesus may want to calm you down, ease your burden, or take time to recharge. Everyone needs holy rest with God. You need time to recharge those spiritual batteries. God knows, a little rest with Jesus will go a long way toward bringing needed peace and joy to heart and soul.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord God, help me to know when I need to work and when I need to rest. Help me to maintain a holy balance in life. Restore my soul when I am weary. Remind me to stop and pray when I am frazzled!
Our world has forgotten what it means to rest in Your arms. People are too busy taking on debt, worrying about money, or gathering wealth. Their quiet time is filled with social media, entertainment, computers and smartphones. They care more about “likes” and “views” than they do about the poor and needy. They are too quick to make purchases and too easy to manipulate through advertisements.
I pray for sanity to return to the earth. May people find truth in Your Word. Let the gospel open their eyes to the meaning of Christ’s life.
I give You thanks for everything You do. I love You for redeeming my soul. I cherish those quiet moments in Your presence.
Some day soon, I will breathe my last breath. Let that not be the first time I rest my soul in Your arms. In Jesus Christ, I have hope. Amen.