Saturday, April 13, 2013

Quieting the Mind

Why is it so hard to rest sometimes? This morning as I awoke I thought to myself, “Ah yes! The sabbath! A day to rest!” Then came the thought monster. What about what you left undone from yesterday? Don’t forget to get the milk and bread at the store. What is my time schedule for today? Maybe if I juggle these things around… I finally got up and began to read the scriptures, and I asked God why I struggled to rest. He had me read a great scripture, Psalm 103.

There is a great message hear about rest. In the first two verses of Psalm 103, God tells us not to worry about the bad guys – they will soon be eliminated. Later in verse 13 God says He laughs at the wicked when they plot against the just. Why? Because He is God, and there is no way He will let the wicked win over the just in the end.

In verses 3 and 4 God encourages us to trust Him. Dwell in and enjoy the land. Let yourself exist on his faithfulness – He will not let us down. He then promises that if we make Him our delight, He will give us the desires of our heart. The balance of this Psalm continues to build on how God raises us up, providing for our needs, while at the same time He destroys the wicked.

How does this relate to rest? We need to remember who we serve – the living God that provides our every need. When I began to really contemplate that He wants to give me the desires of my heart, and that He wants me to trust trust Him, the thoughts just melted away. When they tried to creep in, I just said no to them, and chose instead to think on God and His rest. It worked! I just need to let go to rest.

Prayer
Father, Thank You so much for considering my every need, and the needs of my family. You have given us the power over the wicked through trust in You. Please help us to push back in our minds those things that try to get us to fret. Helps us to dwell in the land, to possess it and know that You will be faithful to give us the desires of our hearts. Thank You. In Jesus name. Amen.