A Place to Rest

The bible verses for today are a picture to me of what God offers us when we’re struggling to find solid ground under our feet, during those challenging times in our life. There are so many things that can make us feel tired, uncertain of what to do and what to choose, as we set out to find our place in this world. We have to decide which school to go to, what course to take, which job, who’ll be our partner in life, where to settle down, how to manage our child when they misbehave, how to take care of our elderly parents, and how to fight that illness. Sorting out all these areas can take its toll on us. Over the years we might feel that there’s no place to set our feet because there’s ‘water over all the surface of the earth’. Where can we find a place to rest?

God calls us to return to Him. Often things and situations can’t be changed in a moment or in a day, but we can find rest. To rest is a major gift in times of challenge. And like Noah, God reaches out His hand to take us back to Himself. Often, when we pray, we say things like “I put it in God’s hand”, as we pray for godly solutions in the disorder and trouble. Sometimes, though, we ourselves need to ‘be in God’s hand’. Today, these Bible verses remind us that God’s reaching out His hand, and welcoming us to find rest with Him.

The dove stayed with Noah seven days and was sent out again. When the dove returned to him with a freshly plucked olive leaf, he waited seven more days, and then the dove was sent out again, but this time it didn’t return. It’s a picture of how God allows us to come to Him again and again to rest, and to be refreshed and restored. But in due time we’ll be able to fly out again, and enjoy what God has entrusted us to be, and to do.

Prayer: Dear God, heavenly Father, thank You for always being willing to receive us back home, into Your hand. Thank You for the privilege of resting with You and for the comfort it is to know there’s a safe haven waiting for us. Amen.