Can there be such a thing? To vacation in the presence of God? Vacation in the Noah Webster 1828 dictionary says: "6. Leisure; freedom from trouble or perplexity." It's the 6th and last definition. This is what we think about when we are growing weary of the hum-drums of life in our work place or at home. We long for the "tropical island mahn!" To be able to put our feet up and read that book or to just enjoy our children, hoping all the while that when we return back to our lives that we'll have been refreshed anew, ready to tackle anything. Yet after a few days or weeks we're longing to be back at that favorite place of relaxation.
God wants us to do just that. Except where He wants us to rest and relax and feel rejuvenated is right in His presence. At his feet...He wants us to turn to Him for rest. He wants to rejuvenate and refresh us to handle whats coming next. He doesn't want us to be upset with ourselves when we're exhausted and we just don't seem to have the energy to fight the good fight, or to keep on keeping on. In Jesus Calling; the author says "Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be." I just love how she writes. She writes as if God is talking to us. But this concept to be grasped, of accepting that this is where God intends me to be, isn't an easy thing to hold on to. It should be, because it's an easy concept, but I don't know about you, but I think at times that, "this is not where I'm intended to be" or "that at this trial in my life isn't where I had planned to be"...What a beautiful lie from the enemy huh? Truly it is. He makes us think that we are in control of our lives and we're not. The beauty of the Lord is that we can rest in the fact that he's in control, even when I mess things up. He has a way to make things work for His Glory. We need to get through today, one step at a time allowing God to take the lead. Allowing Him to guide our ways down His path.
Matt 11:28 Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."
Rom 8:28 AMP "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
How many times have we stepped out in front of our children to look and make sure the way was clear and safe. That's what God wants to do except He doesn't have to look to make sure the path is safe. It doesn't matter what type of obstacle is in the way, with God leading the way the path is much clearer and much safer. So the next time you hear "Hootie and the Blowfish's" song; "Take my Hand" think of that as God telling you, "I'm right here. My hand is here. Take it and allow me to take your burdens and make your troubles a little bit easier." So lookey, lookey here my friends; we've come back to TRUSTING God. We have to step out in FAITH, to an "invisible" God and TRUST unconditionally that His way is the safe, tried & true way in life. We can't experience peace, love, compassion, joy, or contentment without truly trusting in God. The worldly version of the above is fleeting at best but what we experience with God is lasting and satisfying.
Psalm 42:11 NASB "Why are you in despair, O my soul? Why have you become disturbed with in me. HOPE IN GOD, for I shall get praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God." (original not bolded)
In my Luke study, one of the ladies says she tell her daughter and those that try & deter her from peace etc., that "I am the daughter of the Most High God." How powerful that statement is. If we rest in God's arms, crawl up in His lap, or in His presence then contentment comes to our situation, or our path. I always wonder if I'm making a difference in anyone's life; from my job, to my family & friends & to my church family. When I get to that point of questionning God is right there patiently waiting, and observing if I'll be still and know that He is God and in control of all my situations. He directs my ways and when I buck Him and try to do it my way, it's comforting to know that He's still there to forgive me and brush me off and place me back on the right path. He knows our ways, we just need to trust and obey and allow Him to lead.
Phil 2:15 "so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, CHILDREN OF GOD above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world."
Psalm 46:10 "Cease striving and know that I am God"
So lets take solace and rest in the Love and presence of God. Rest in the fact that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. That his power is above angels, authorities and powers and that the forementioned are subject to Him. May nothing consume us with fear, or concern or cause us to be weary. God is the only one in whom we shall fear. He has our backs, fronts, and our flanks. He will deliver us from the grasp of our enemies.
1 Pet 3:22 and 2 Kings 17:39 paraphrased by me.
Stay strong my friends. Till next time, Shalom!
God wants us to do just that. Except where He wants us to rest and relax and feel rejuvenated is right in His presence. At his feet...He wants us to turn to Him for rest. He wants to rejuvenate and refresh us to handle whats coming next. He doesn't want us to be upset with ourselves when we're exhausted and we just don't seem to have the energy to fight the good fight, or to keep on keeping on. In Jesus Calling; the author says "Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be." I just love how she writes. She writes as if God is talking to us. But this concept to be grasped, of accepting that this is where God intends me to be, isn't an easy thing to hold on to. It should be, because it's an easy concept, but I don't know about you, but I think at times that, "this is not where I'm intended to be" or "that at this trial in my life isn't where I had planned to be"...What a beautiful lie from the enemy huh? Truly it is. He makes us think that we are in control of our lives and we're not. The beauty of the Lord is that we can rest in the fact that he's in control, even when I mess things up. He has a way to make things work for His Glory. We need to get through today, one step at a time allowing God to take the lead. Allowing Him to guide our ways down His path.
Matt 11:28 Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."
Rom 8:28 AMP "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
How many times have we stepped out in front of our children to look and make sure the way was clear and safe. That's what God wants to do except He doesn't have to look to make sure the path is safe. It doesn't matter what type of obstacle is in the way, with God leading the way the path is much clearer and much safer. So the next time you hear "Hootie and the Blowfish's" song; "Take my Hand" think of that as God telling you, "I'm right here. My hand is here. Take it and allow me to take your burdens and make your troubles a little bit easier." So lookey, lookey here my friends; we've come back to TRUSTING God. We have to step out in FAITH, to an "invisible" God and TRUST unconditionally that His way is the safe, tried & true way in life. We can't experience peace, love, compassion, joy, or contentment without truly trusting in God. The worldly version of the above is fleeting at best but what we experience with God is lasting and satisfying.
Psalm 42:11 NASB "Why are you in despair, O my soul? Why have you become disturbed with in me. HOPE IN GOD, for I shall get praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God." (original not bolded)
In my Luke study, one of the ladies says she tell her daughter and those that try & deter her from peace etc., that "I am the daughter of the Most High God." How powerful that statement is. If we rest in God's arms, crawl up in His lap, or in His presence then contentment comes to our situation, or our path. I always wonder if I'm making a difference in anyone's life; from my job, to my family & friends & to my church family. When I get to that point of questionning God is right there patiently waiting, and observing if I'll be still and know that He is God and in control of all my situations. He directs my ways and when I buck Him and try to do it my way, it's comforting to know that He's still there to forgive me and brush me off and place me back on the right path. He knows our ways, we just need to trust and obey and allow Him to lead.
Phil 2:15 "so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, CHILDREN OF GOD above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world."
Psalm 46:10 "Cease striving and know that I am God"
So lets take solace and rest in the Love and presence of God. Rest in the fact that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. That his power is above angels, authorities and powers and that the forementioned are subject to Him. May nothing consume us with fear, or concern or cause us to be weary. God is the only one in whom we shall fear. He has our backs, fronts, and our flanks. He will deliver us from the grasp of our enemies.
1 Pet 3:22 and 2 Kings 17:39 paraphrased by me.
Stay strong my friends. Till next time, Shalom!
Comments
Post a Comment