Full Complete Rest
by Pam Smith
Sometimes the Lord stops us in our tracks because we’re going too fast, or we’re in a hurry to finish some project, or to start a new venture, and everything else seems unimportant. But when the Lord steps in, we suddenly remember there’s one thing that’s more important than anything else: the place of full, complete rest.
Are we failing to get into that place? God doesn’t mind us going fast, or being excited about new projects, as long as we start them from a place of rest in Jesus. ‘For he has set another time for coming in and that time is now’ (Hebrews 4:7).Today, now, come into that place.
First know His covering, His quietness, His forgiveness and cleansing, His gentleness and compelling love, His joy in your step, and His equal yoke; then go on. The things we meant to do will still be waiting for us. Sometimes they’ll be accomplished with far greater efficiency, other times we will even want to change what we do, and sometimes we’ll find they’re not necessary at all. Our vision is clearer when we start from a place of rest, rather than a place of stress. There’s so much stress these days leading to all kinds of sickness.
Recently I was stopped in my tracks and these words came into my spirit, ‘just do what is necessary’. A peace came into my heart. I recalled the scripture, ‘In quietness and confidence shall be your strength’ (Isaiah 30:15). It’s about resting confidently in the Lord.
God’s Sabbath rest is not one of exhaustion, but one of sufficiency. This isn’t a passive dependency, but an active effort to enter into the rest of the ‘All sufficient One’. An effort to be doing His will, not ours. ‘He is in us to will and to act for His good pleasure’ Philippians 2:13.
"There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God,
A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release, near to the heart of God,
A place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God.
O Jesus blessed Redeemer, sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee, near to the heart of God."
Cleland B.McAfee.1903
Prayer: Lord help us to know the real Sabbath rest and how to really enter into Your sufficiency. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pam Smith has a background in art and nursing, has a son and two daughters and six grandchildren. She has been a friend and helper of Ellel Ministries since l992, and has been involved with Healing Through Creativity Courses. As writer of the Shepherd Love Series, she has a passion for the comfort and encouragement that leads people towards enjoying abundant Life in Jesus.
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