Be Centered in HIS Rest
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
(The Psalms 46 4-7 NASB)
The holy dwelling places of the Most Hight.
God is in the midst of her,
she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations made an uproar,
the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah”
Yesterday was a gorgeous day, one that caused me to desire a hike across campus rather than sitting and working at my desk. So, I did.
- I Walked to the mailbox, just to retrieve my university mail.
- I Walked to the vehicle, just to carry a book.
- I Walked to class but took the long path rather than the shorter one.
- I Walked to the university store, just to say “Hello” to Donna, the manager.
- I Walked here and there—hopeful to enjoy the sunshine for minutes longer.
As I walked, I encountered Judy (Dr. Collins) walking toward me, and I became so surprised when she spoke this statement: “Nancy, you always walk with quickness, with purpose.” I smiled, thanked her, and then replied: “Judy, last year, I could barely walk, before my back surgery, and now, I am so thankful that I can walk without pain.”
Then as I walked toward my car and Judy walked the other way, I thought about her comment, about all the number of times I had stumbled over my own two feet, or caught the toe of my shoe and tripped, almost falling & suddenly, I recalled the most important thought.
EVERY TIME, IT WAS ALWAYS GOD WHO CAUGHT ME!
Today, consider how everyday life has a way of causing us to fear. That’s right, we can suddenly be afraid when our health slips, our jobs are lost, our vehicle goes kerplunk, or the weather threatens our peaceful way of life. One moment we can be walking with assurance, when suddenly in the next moment, we can stumble, trip, and get our feet tangled. Assuredly, when that occurs, we feel ourselves begin to fall.
- What are you striving to attain all alone?
- What causes you to pace back and forth?
- When do you find yourself wringing your hands in worry?
- Where do you go when all earthly hope seems lost?
- Where does your mind find rest when turmoil, stress, and trouble rears its ugly head?
YOU, yes, us (you and me), we must stop striving, pacing, and wringing our hands.
Instead, we are called to cease striving, to put aside our frantic thoughts, and to
Be Centered in HIS REST.
“Come, behold the works of the LORD,
(The Psalms 46 8-11 NASB)
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
“Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.”
The more we pay attention to who God is and what He is doing in the world, then the less we will fear. We only need to remember how the Lord reminds us time and again to put aside our frantic fear and to be still in HIM. Truly, there are so many times throughout our lives when we need to cover our mouths, bend on our knees, readily willing to hear God speak.
- Let us not be ashamed of our testimony of our Lord.
- Let us not be unwilling to walk through this day in servanthood.
- Let us not be afraid to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.
Let us not ever forget—the GOSPEL MESSAGE REVEALS THE POWER OF HOLY GOD!
- May we readily remember how our Father has saved us.
- May we willingly recall how our Savior has called us to Himself.
- May we humbly reflect upon how our salvation is not based upon anything (any work) we have done, but according to—
HIS AMAZING GRACE GIVEN THROUGH HIS ONLY SON—JESUS CHRIST!
May we joyously proclaim how Christ Jesus has saved us for all eternity!
FOREVERMORE!
Therefore, in closing, let us reflect upon an instance where the LORD ALMIGHTY gives us in HIS Holy Word a ‘therefore’ occurrence—one we who believe—must heed as we remain
CENTERED IN HIS REST.
“Therefore,
(The 1st Letter of Peter 1: 13-16 NASB)
prepare your minds for action,
keep sober in spirit,
fix your hope completely on the grace
to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
As obedient children,
do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
but like the Holy One who called you,
be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
because it is written,
“YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”