Saturday, November 14, 2015
Rest Well
This morning as I was looking at the bright sun coming through the almost barren trees in the forest behind my house, it looked like it should be very warm outside. It is not. This morning it is only thirty seven degrees out, and it does not look promising for it to get much warmer today. As humans we tend to want to be comfortable. We associate that comfort at times with our physical conditions, like sun light, temperature, precipitation, the foods we like, etc. Our comfort is closely tied to being content. When we feel comfortable, we feel content. But if we allow ourselves to go that route, then we will be allowing our circumstances to drive our ability to be content. It does not have to be that way. Paul has a better suggestion.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Paul seems to indicate that there is a way to being content that WE control, not our surrounds. There is an advantage to that, as Paul goes on to state.
Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
We see here that Paul learned how to not only survive, but thrive regardless of the circumstances. Throughout this verse Paul is speaking about the teachings of Yahuah (Lord), which is the good news as it has been from the beginning. And He sent His son, Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus), to seal the deal for us. Our Messiah will empower us to do all things that are in the will of our Father. If, for example, you are struggling financially, what has our Father said to us repeatedly in scriptures about this? Here is just one.
Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
And there are many more. If we commit ourselves to doing out Father’s work, He will take us through the good and bad times. He will make the end better than the beginning.
Today, on the Sabbath, we can rest well, knowing that our Father cares for us, and is watching over us.
Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are King. We give praise and honor to You, and to Your name, Yahuah (Lord). Bring Your kingdom and with it Your shalom (peace). Send today Your overwhelming blessing of provision that overflows our ability to hold it. Forgive us our sins. Heal our hearts from the inside. Deliver us from the evil that is stealing from us. Strike down the machine that takes at all times from Your people, leaving them with nothing. Our only hope is in You, Yahuah (Lord). Rise up and deliver us today. We ask these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.