Joy in Resting
Genesis 2:2 tells us, "On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work." Doctors tell us that many of our infirmities are caused by a lack of rest. Even God rested.
The prophet Elijah needed rest. In I Kings 19, Elijah is running away from King Ahab and his evil wife, Jezebel, who has threatened to take his life. The Bible says he went alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He was tired, and sat down under a broom tree to tell God how he felt. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died." The Bible goes on to say in the next verse that Elijah laid down and slept under a broom tree.
Elijah was so tired and hungry that he wasn't thinking clearly. After receiving the proper rest and food, Elijah was ready to go again. I'm sure he was glad that God did not immediately grant his request.
Often we gain a more realistic perspective on our times of crisis with proper rest. If we are having difficulty finding the opportunity to get the proper rest we need, we can ask God for it.
In Psalm 55, David is overwhelmed by his troubles and cries out to God saying in Psalm 55:6, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!" David knew that proper rest would provide clarity to his circumstance.
The Bible commands us to rest one day a week in the fourth Commandment. If we can't seem to find the proper rest, we can claim God's promise in Psalm 127:2, "It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones."
May you find rest this week, and may it be the best week you've ever had in your life.
The prophet Elijah needed rest. In I Kings 19, Elijah is running away from King Ahab and his evil wife, Jezebel, who has threatened to take his life. The Bible says he went alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He was tired, and sat down under a broom tree to tell God how he felt. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died." The Bible goes on to say in the next verse that Elijah laid down and slept under a broom tree.
Elijah was so tired and hungry that he wasn't thinking clearly. After receiving the proper rest and food, Elijah was ready to go again. I'm sure he was glad that God did not immediately grant his request.
Often we gain a more realistic perspective on our times of crisis with proper rest. If we are having difficulty finding the opportunity to get the proper rest we need, we can ask God for it.
In Psalm 55, David is overwhelmed by his troubles and cries out to God saying in Psalm 55:6, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!" David knew that proper rest would provide clarity to his circumstance.
The Bible commands us to rest one day a week in the fourth Commandment. If we can't seem to find the proper rest, we can claim God's promise in Psalm 127:2, "It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones."
May you find rest this week, and may it be the best week you've ever had in your life.
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