The tumultuous day ended with a quiet hush. I was weary and worn, and in desperate need of rest. God had been by my side throughout the day, working everything together for my good. This I know. This I believe.
And it wasn’t that bad things were happening.
Finding Rest Goes Much Deeper Than Our Circumstances
It was that constant stress overwhelmed me and my mind would not surrender to the lordship of Christ. My thoughts were a tangled mess that wore me out and though, at times, I sat quietly or even lay down for a few minutes, I felt tense, and irritable, and without peace.
Finally, the clock signaled the end of this long day and I settled into bed.
On my nightside table I keep a copy of Ann Graham Lotz’s revision of Daily Lights, a compilation of theme-related scriptures to read morning and evening. I opened the pages to January Fourth, squirmed around on my pillows to find comfort, and began to read:
“For as yet you have not come to the rest and the inheritance which the Lord your God is giving you. ~#~ This is not your rest. ~#~ There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. ~#~ Behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus.”*
Lowering the book to my chest I closed my eyes and pondered these words of life.
As of yet, I have not come to the rest God has promised me.
There is a rest for me — for you.
I wonder if it’s like the promise of peace. Jesus said, “I give you peace. Not as the world gives, do I give to you.”
His rest is not as the world gives. His rest is deeper, more beautiful, more healing, and restorative than the world’s. But in the midst of difficulty, how do I find this rest? How do you? Where is it?
“Behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus.”
How beautiful! Our rest — our peace — is found beyond the veil in the Presence of God. This is referring to His dwelling place upon the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies, that sacred place in the tabernacle where only the priests could enter.
But now, because of Jesus, You and I may enter His presence, not in thought, not in deed, but in actuality.
We. May. Come. Before. Our. God.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. It’s there!
Our resting place is there in the secret place of the Most High, in His presence beyond the veil.
There Remains for Us a Place of Rest
But how do we get there?
Jesus said, “Come unto Me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest.”
Rest. Menuchah (meh-noo-chah). Menuchah refers to a place of rest — place of stillness, consolation, peace. A quiet place. It’s root word, nuach, means to soothe, settle down, or comfort.
“Come to ME, and I will give you rest.” Come is an action, an intention. It’s not a thought or a wish. An action. In the Presence of our Lord is our place of rest. In the beauty of His holiness. In the glory of His might.
In the arms of His Father’s love.
That is where peace resides. That is where we find rest.
Lift up your voice to the Lord and praise Him, not for your circumstances that weigh you down. Praise Him for who He is! Your Healer, Your Provider, and Protector. Your Deliverer, Redeemer, and Friend. Praise Him because He is the WayMaker, Miracle-Worker, Promise Keeper, and your Light in the darkness.
Praise Him for He is your God, and you are His child.
He is worthy of all praise.
He inhabits the praises of His people.
Run to Jesus and He Will Give You Rest
Are you lacking peace? Rest? Are you weary and worn from lingering stress and, although your faith is strong, your body and mind are weak? Oh, sweet friend, I encourage you to call on His Name … Jesus.
Don’t walk, but run to Him.
Run to Him through the blinding tears, the frustration that is eating at your soul. Run to Him with the joy of knowing the miracle of His love.
And on those tumultuous days, know that the One who loves you with an everlasting love is waiting to give you rest.
Selah
- Deuteronomy 12:9
- Micah 2:10
- Hebrews 4:9
- Hebrews 6:19-20
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Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love for you to share what’s on your heart in the comments below. Scroll a little farther down and you’ll see where you can leave your comments. Together, we can find the nearness of God in our darkest moments.
Sweet blessings to you,
