He will Give You Rest: Intervention 17

His Rest becomes Your Rest

Finding God in the Daily

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden 
 and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Spiritual rest gives hope and peace in God.

EVER WATCH SOMEONE ASLEEP, napping, snoozing—a baby, a child, a mate? Your heart is moved as you watch them. You identify with your caring for that person. It is calm.

God wants us to find our rest in Him,
-not in circumstances,
     -not in temporary fixes,
          -not in things,
               -not in money,
                     -not in fame,
                           -not in pursuits,
                                -not in people.

At times, we get on a treadmill of busyness rather than resting in Him. A person may not understand their rest in Him and wonder what this means. Maybe they don’t know how to implement it or rest in it. The thought of rest is elusive or not on their radar.

Some in the Christian community give up trying to find God. They find substitutes. Some get enmeshed in addictive alternatives as a way to remediate the inner deadness rather than realizing the solution is in God.

 I think this is common when discouragement or depression looks for something that makes one feel better. This is the path of least resistance, the natural, untreated path that self-medicates rather than looks for a better solution. Spiritual rest is also not found in substitutes, including friendships, no matter how fulfilling and strong they may be.

Spiritual rest is cultivated and is a result of the Spirit's peaceful state. Jesus' rest is internal in us and eternal in God. Spiritual rest is peaceful, knowing, certain. It faces adversity and knows all will be well. All is well when anchored fast in Christ. He is our rest.

True nurturing rest is found in God and God alone.

God is a God of tranquility and peace. He offers us soul-rest. It is a supernatural rest only found in God’s presence after His healing grace has touched the inner places. 

This type of rest is in answer to the weariness of
-our souls,
     -our burdens,
           - our hearts.

The more we seek God the more we experience access true restfulness. It is a form of trust mixed with love that has found itself joined in a trusting relationship with Father God.

Once you know this centered rest in the Divine,
-life takes on a new flavor,
     -a spiritually alive direction,
          -a greater sense of harmony with God.

Peaceful presence is connected to its Source, His presence in you and with you. This happens as you open the door to your heart all the way. God floods its interior, enters every room and takes up residence. You no longer withhold or erect barriers in the relationship. You and your soul enter into full fellowship, caring connection, and friendship with each member of the God-Head.This is life, and this is rest.

To God be the Glory

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Merciful Father -- Inspiration 7

Lord have Mercy on Me a Sinner

156 

Great are Your mercies, O Lord;

Revive me according to Your ordinances.

  Psalm 119:156

THE TENDER MERCIES of God don't get much press. God is merciful. God's mercy is called upon with every prayer request. His loving kindness is goodness and mercy. That humanity still exists after all it's warring factions and evil doings is a direct result of a merciful Heavenly Father. "Lord have mercy," we pray. We know He does have mercy and will continue to have mercy. Mercy is part of who He is in addition to being just and right. An erring child, mate, or colleague is prayed for by those who believe in the power of God to meet a need, to turn a life around, and to initiate the right circumstances to bring this to pass. They know this is within the will of God and it implores His abundant mercy. The sinner's prayer "Lord have mercy on me a sinner," is a humble prayer of the heart. It speaks of dependence on the merciful nature of God, and nothing else--not good works, not spiritual activities, not worth and value--just God alone. Therein is the key to all spiritual endeavors. God is the Master of the Universe, but His is a servant's heart that listens to those who entreat Him in their brokenness, with humility, and despite their dysfunction. God honors this self-denying humility in an "unworthy" person--according to human standards of conduct, but "worthy" of compassion in God's sight--according to His tender mercies. There is no pretending in this humble plea to our Father in Heaven. God hears the cry of the heart, and He answers.

Merciful Father, we are not worthy to sit at your table. We are not worthy to call on Your mercy. We do not deserve Your grace. But You are merciful. You are grace. You love with kindness. You answer according to Your mercy. Even Your reproof is for our good. Thank you. We love You. Praise Your Holy Name. Amen

To God be the Glory