Rest and Restoration

Recently, God has been speaking to me about the need to rest. My upbringing taught me to work hard, but not how to plan in leisure time and relaxation. It`s something I’m having to learn, because God wants us to obey His Word in the matter of rest, as in every other matter He speaks to us about.

This past year or so has been challenging in many ways. We may have gone through exhausting times, emotionally, mentally and physically, and feel we need restoration – maybe a holiday to recover, but with Covid regulations and travel restrictions, this isn’t always possible at the moment.

I feel God would have us remember that He has promised to restore His people, no matter what they have been through. It’s in coming to Him, and taking time to rest, that He will restore us. Actually, the word “restore” appears 136 times throughout the Bible. It really is what God wants for us.

Jesus said the same: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-29). It’s in our relationship with Him that we find the inner peace and rest which He offers us.

And from this place of rest we can step out to do our work, fulfil our ministries, and give help to those in need. For we’ll be restored, have a true inner peace and be a more fine-tuned instrument for God’s purposes.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your loving care for us and Your promise to restore us. Forgive me for when I haven’t taken enough time to sit quietly in Your presence or planned times to relax in ways that would help restore me, as I walk each day with You. Today I come to You and accept gratefully the rest You offer us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.