Rest

​Do you ever have times where the zoom and vroom of life flows so unrelentingly that to celebrate what should be sacred somehow seems more of an inconvenience? I was talking to a friend recently, and he commented on how people are so busy that there just seems to be little to no interest in preparing for Easter. I found myself nodding in agreement, for the same thoughts filled my mind.  But I was the culprit!  There was no escaping the fact that I’d rather just have a nice quiet day to myself than plan events that might minister to those coming to celebrate Christ’s resurrection.

There comes a time when the pace of life is deceptively dangerous.  It is easy to feel productive and somehow important when our calendar is filled to the brim with activity.  But rest must balance a constant churning of meetings and work, of running from one scheduled appointment to the next.  God, the indescribable Creator, did not have to stop creating.  What if day seven was a continuation of days one through six? What if He simply continued to conceive and celebrate an endless progression of what was good!  Instead He rested and He blessed the seventh day and made it holy (see Genesis 2:3).
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King David strikes me as a type A personality.  If he was not thumping enemies, pursuing innovative construction, or adding to his trove of wives, he was plucking a harp and writing new songs to His first love. Yet, for all his endeavors, David was a man with great balance.  I believe he understood a deep secret that won heaven’s accolades.   Listen to what he wrote in the Psalm below. 
 
Meditation
Psalm 62:1,2--I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken.
 
There is only one place to find true rest and that is in God alone.  With Him a bed of calm can be gained in the direst of circumstances. Even on the cross Jesus found respite, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My Spirit” (Luke 23:46).  But His moment of yielding was but a natural extension of a life where He often left activity and people for solitude with God.   We must intentionally put aside our flurry.  We need rest to remain healthy.  If we find our emotions growing stale, our enthusiasm ebbing, our joy jaundiced, our mindset one of just getting through the calendar, then it is a sure sign that we have neglected rest!  
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So, nine days before Easter, I am glad to leave for the coast to spend extended time praying and fellowshipping with the Lord.  He is my Rock and I look forward to resting in Him.  How about you, are you in need of a scheduled break?  Will you set aside time to be with God and get your batteries recharged?  Remember, Satan will never give you a speeding ticket.   
 
Inspiration
Resting in the Lord does not depend upon external circumstances but on the relationship of the life of God in me to God Himself.—Oswald Chambers in God’s Workmanship 
 
 
©2006 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)