He Lets Me Rest

www.bible.com/1713/psa.23.1-2.csb

You can find no better rest than rest in God’s presence. If our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers and principalities of this present darkness, then the reason we are tired every day isn’t because of our physical work. It’s the strain our spirits are put under day upon day to resist the Devil so that he will flee from us. What assault do you face every day that threatens your purity and hopefulness?

But God does not let us fight alone. He protects us with His holy armor, as described in Ephesians 5. He offers us the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the belt of truth, the sword of the Spirit, and call us pray, our most effective weapon against the evil one. When does God let us rest?

I feel the greatest rest we can enjoy is the one in our heart. I have lived with guilt, and guilt is a deadly mistress. She never lets go, and always reminds you of what you have done wrong, that everyone will find out your secret sins if you don’t feed her. She is harsh. She sweet-talks you when you are alone, and threatens to “out” you when you are with others. She is a constant burden, but not a permanent one.

If you want rest, let God’s grace and forgiveness oust the harpee of guilt. If you want rest, let’s God peace fill you, resist temptation, and nullify her power over you by the truth of God’s word. The greatest rest you can find is the one in your soul, where the peaceful waters of God’s presence flow. People take notice of someone who is peaceful in times of crisis. They cling to one who isn’t flustered, because they figure this is someone who has life figured out. In truth, we don’t, but we know who does, and we trust Him.

I don’t know what you are up against this week, but I know Who will get you through it. Trust Him.

Dear Lord, help me to understand this rest, that runs deep in my soul. Help me to weather life’s toughest trials, so that I can minister to other who don’t know this rest. Help me trust You when life is in chaos. Bring the order to my soul that speak to rest. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.