Rest In Jesus our God and Great Shepherd
What Is Resting?
I attempt to practice Sabbath, and I tend to ask Jesus in the early morning what He has planned for me this day. This was His response, since last night: "rest".
Well, I have been trying to rest, rest in Him, etc. However, I realized I don't think I really know what that means completely, especially when I am panicked about having nothing on my agenda for the day to "do" from Him. So, I asked again, same response. So, I asked Him what do we read today? He said the same, and I began to rethink about my presentation of my question. Maybe it is a matter of perspective?
So, I asked Him this in my document, instead of just asking in prayer as my usual.
This was it below. It turned into a blog entry for all who want to be encouraged when needing rest. It is hit with hard truth and also a plea from the Lord, to take care of the temple God gave us. You want to be used and be more effective? This is not ancient practice, this is practical practice:
What does it mean from your perspective what “resting” with You looks like, Abba?
I hear,
- "Enjoying the blessings given by You Lord", is part of this? (This is all that he has given us, the fruits of our labor, including our loved ones)
- Reading your Word?
- Listening and spending time with you in prayer as well?
He continued:
A time to come deeply into His presence, and hear what He has for me. It is a time to come humbly and be thankful for what He has done for me. What He has given me. A time to dwell in His presence with thanksgiving and praise, worship.
It is a time to enjoy those whom He puts in our lives, as well as to enjoy the things given by Him for us to enjoy in this life. All done with righteousness, truth, and love. The love of God.
Perspectives of man vs. God's plan with rest:
The perspective of man is to sleep, eat, and play. However, much of the world’s view of this is overly done on work or play. There is no peace, joy, and rest happening in the soul and body, mind and heart.
There is always a balance with God, and everything done in its time, and with holiness and righteousness being applied in all circumstances. There are no sinful ambitions to be planned and implemented when resting with God, during this time. It is all within the bounds of walking a holy walk with Him, but still enjoying His blessings and gifts.
Take time in Jesus's Word:
What does it say in Matthew 11:25-30? Read further into 12:1-8.
Commentary of Scriptures:
There is always this need and push for people to do something. It is in our nature to work, as humans. The lazy person tends to be the opposite in an extreme way, while the over workers tend to be extreme in theirs. God is a God of balance indeed. He wants us to work for our wages, indeed. We are not to be given bread to eat without working for it.
Take time in Jesus's Word:
Proverbs 12:11, 12:27, 19:15, 19:24, 26:15, 13:4, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11.
Commentary of Scriptures:
However, there are those who are extremes on the other way. They work work work…and unlike the song that says, “whistle while you work” as in the movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, I have to say, this mentality doesn’t exist in a holy fashion in most workers. Many work because they are overworked. They don’t get a chance to breath, heal, and get their minds in order. This leads to anxiety, depression, anger, and irritability. If you take the time to read into depression symptoms, they are all related to extreme behaviors of either complete despair or aggressive irritability. This ultimately leads to sinful behaviors that are considered extremes…taking what God gave and said was good, but perverting it (twisting the actual purpose of it’s original).
Sites to Consider and Learn more!
Take a look at these verses about anxiety: click here
This is a medical site, that is worth reading the studies concerning lack of physical rest
Take time in Jesus's Word:
These are verses that speak about sins (many come from no physical, mental, & spiritual rest) and what God calls us to do in their place, as believers.
2 Timothy 3, Romans 1:18-31, Proverbs 12:28, Galatians 5
James 1:12-37, 2, 3, 4, 5:14-26
Commentary of Scriptures:
It is important to remember that we are expected, when resting with our Lord Jesus, to be willing to sit still and know that He is God and handling all details (Psalm 46:10, Psalm 23).
But also to keep walking truth and deed, when loving one another and our wonderful loving Creator, Father God, Adonai Yeshua, and His Spirit within us.
We are not saved by works, this is for sure. We are saved by the free gift from God, by sending His one and only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins and rise from the dead, three days later. This free gift is done and paid for all of our sins, past, present, and future. (Romans 3:10, Romans 10:9-13 )
However, we are still expected to love God and walk in His ways. This is the true definition of fearing God. Be reverent with our Creator and Heavenly Father, because He is good and patient with us.
So you don't believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior???😐
We should not be afraid of Abba, unless we are indeed being rebellious and pride filled. If you are not saved, be very afraid! Your future as a non-believer is an eternity in hell. You have a reason to be anxious. But...it doesn't have to be that way. (Romans 10:10)
Jesus says in Isaiah 59:8 The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.
Jesus also says this: Isaiah 57:21 “There is no peace,”
Says my God, “for the wicked.”
- If there is no peace for the wicked.
- Then it is imperative to walk in the ways of righteousness, right?!?
- You have to be saved through the covering of the blood of Jesus to walk in His (Jesus's righteousness).
- It is applied to us by His grace given through our faith in what He did for us on the cross, it is not a given by nice works, or by being a nice person. (Romans 10:10)
This is only for those who are part of Jesus's Flock, all those filled with the Holy Spirit of God and know He is the only way to heaven :
Just as you walk with your earthly father, desiring to be like him, so are we all called to walk like our Daddy God in heaven. He gave us His word, Jesus. Jesus gave us His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to dwell with us forever and teach us His ways.
With His word, we discipline ourselves to be in obedience to our God and Creator when working, and when resting. This is loving God.
Resting and peace are a blessing from God. A peace in our hearts, souls, and minds.
Now I leave you with this:
Philippians 4 Notice Paul is telling all of us to rejoice and be thankful. Praying and anxious about anything. Jesus will guard our hearts and minds, when we stay focused on Him and walk in His ways. Verse 9, “and the God of peace will be with you”. Peace comes to those of us to ask and seek this. He calls us to love Him and love others.
Practical Advice from your sister in Christ with experience with problems with rest and sleep:
So,
- slow down.
- Choose a 24 hour period where you will give yourself the grace and rest of body, to consider the things God has done for you this week, this day, this year…in your life.
- Write these things down.
- Put it up and remind yourself of these things, and
- tell Him in truth how thankful you are.
- Read His word and learn about your Daddy God, about Jesus our King and Shepherd.
What does a Shepherd do?
- Ask Him?
He is faithful to reveal Himself to you, if you really want to know.
- Spend time with Him.
- Be expectant to learn more about His love for you and about Him.
This life is about a relationship with your Creator and those He loves.
You plan activities to be with family and friends…
well…the Sabbath is really set aside for this time with Him as well.
The fact is
resting for a period of time to dwell on Him
thinking about what you already have,
helps with being content and not anxious at all times…just as Paul expressed.
Then, in our thankfulness, rejoice and worship Him!
Worship your Creator, the One who is constantly working on our behalf.
He wants to give us blessing and favor, to come into our presence and enjoy us.
We have to learn to be still and come before Him in truth and humbleness.
He already did provide, and still is. He already did protect you, and still is. You are in His hands and you will never be taken from Him.
Just don’t be the one to jump out of it…it is all about our choice and discipline to rest.
Reread Philippians 4 , and see where Paul speaks about this being a choice of yours. Not God’s.
He awaits your invitation to rest with Him.
Are you ready to be still and trust our God to handle things for a time,
while in His presence?
Jesus is my joy and my strength. Is He yours?
This is the song that speaks concerning His heart for us: God's Peace
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