Finding Rest In God Alone

Life can be hard and seemingly full of troubles.  Sometimes we feel discouraged with the way everything is going in our lives and in the very world in we find ourselves living.  Sometimes it is easy for us to get a little bit cynical and critical about everything.  When we allow that to happen we end up losing our joy and our witness for the Lord is damaged.

We need to be careful that the world doesn't pull us down into an attitude of despair and negativity.  We should be concerned about the things that are going on in our world these days and we should have compassion on the afflicted and those who are struggling, but we must remember that this world is not our home.  We must also remember that our hope is not in a political party or a president or any world leader.  The hope that we believers have is firmly established upon the person of Jesus Christ and the truth of who He is.

Jesus is the Son of the Living God.  He came to earth on a rescue mission to save us from our sins.  Jesus went obediently to the Cross where He shed His blood for our sins and whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved.  We must repent of our sins and confess our sinfulness to the Lord and receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

We believers also know that on the third day Christ arose from the dead showing us that He is indeed God and that He conquered death and sin.  Jesus is now at the right hand of the Father and one great and glorious day He will return to this earth and bring the Kingdom of God to the earth in full completion.  

We believers haven't been abandoned, however, for everyone that has trusted Christ as Savior has the Holy Spirit dwelling within them so they are never truly alone.  The Holy Spirit helps us to grow to be more Christ like as we submit to His lead and direction and the Holy Spirit will help us to understand the Bible as well for it was inspired by Him.

Sometimes in our walk here on the earth we can grow weary and rather tired.  We may feel Spiritually dry and even frustrated with the way things as going to us and the Church as a whole.  The good news is we can find rest for our souls in God alone through our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Jesus invites all who are weary and troubled to come to Him to find rest for our very souls (Matthew 11:28-30).

I am reminded of Psalm 62 which says,

1 Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. 
                                                                           

2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3 How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

4 Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.

6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.

10 Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

11 One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God,

12 and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”

We will have trouble in this world that is a guarantee.  We may feel the pressure mounting all around us, but we must cling to the Lord Jesus and the truth if His Word like never before.  Our rest comes from God and Him alone.  We can be facing the most horrible of situations and we can still feel at rest because we trust in the Lord to lead us and walk us through the dark valley of trial and challenge.  

Our God is our rock and our refuge.  He is our protector when things get difficult.  We need to trust the Lord and have faith that He knows what He is doing.  We may not always understand what God is up to because His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.  His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts soar way above our tiny thoughts.   God knows the full picture of all that is happening and just by knowing Him personally through our faith in Christ Jesus we can find rest for our weary souls.

I would encourage you to rest in the Lord and trust Him to be your refuge and your strength in these difficult days.  Let's turn our eyes upon Jesus and find rest for our souls in Him.

Lord,

Thank You for loving us so very much.

Thank You for being our refuge and strength.

Help us to experience a great joy in our hearts just by knowing You.

Help us to love each other as You love us so greatly.

In Jesus Name we pray,

Amen.