Spiritual Rest
Spiritual Rest. As a Christian, we long for our own spiritual retirement. Did you know that even now while on this earth you can receive spiritual rest? How can that be?
1 The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
Psalm 23:1-2, NKJV
12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD,
And teach out of Your law,
13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity,
Until the pit is dug for the wicked.
Psalm 94:13, NKJV
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
Yes, our God is merciful.
6 The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
7 Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
Psalm 116:5-7, NKJV
Spiritual Rest
Where is there a better place to start a series of devotions on this topic than from the Psalms? How often do people speak of retirement? No matter what their vocation, most people, especially after the age of 40, begin to think about the number of years they have left until retirement.
As
a Christian, we long for our own spiritual retirement. Did you know that even now while on this earth you can receive rest that is spiritual? How can that be?
Psalm
23 reminds us that the Lord, as our Shepherd leads us beside still
waters and makes us lie down in green pastures. When we feel battered by
the storms of life around us, we can go to our Shepherd who will
comfort us and give us rest.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
Ultimately
that rest becomes an eternal rest from adversity. We do not necessarily
obtain a rest from activity; we will be busy in the new heavens and new earth. But, we
do attain an eternal rest from adversity.
That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked.
These
thoughts should permeate our minds as we go about our daily activities.
The stresses of life, the disappointments, the tragedies, etc. are only
temporary. However, we do not have to wait until we reach heaven to
receive this rest. Even now in the midst of life, we can go to our
faithful Lord who will give us relief.
Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
What an amazing God we serve. He so understands the perplexities of this life and the stresses we face each day. We cannot even imagine how glorious and wonderful heaven will be when all of these stresses will cease. But, how amazing is it that even while still on this earth, and while going through the troubles, difficulties, and stresses of this life, we can, indeed, find rest in the Lord!
Spend time each day with the Lord; meditate upon His Word. He will truly give you rest.
More Devotions on the Topic of Spiritual Rest
Wait for Christ, Isaiah 14, Isaiah 28, and Isaiah 30
Rest for Your Souls, Matthew 11:28-30
Rest from Our Labors, Revelation 14:12-13
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