Refreshment

"For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes.”

Jeremiah 31:25

When I have long days like today, I'm grateful for the God who satisfies the weary ones and refreshes everyone who languishes. It's not that there was anything wrong with today, it was a great day in our shop. We made lots of new friends and even had a good sales day (thanks to God). But even good days can bring weariness. My husband and I closed the shop a little early and drove down the mountain to do some shopping and have dinner. On the drive back home I snapped the photo above. I sighed and said to my mate, "Now I know what it means to have your soul restored." The reference was to Psalm 23, but it certainly applies to Jeremiah 31:24, too. God restores. He satisfies. He refreshes. Praise be to God.

Rest a While

"And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place

 and rest a while.” 

Mark 6:31

Jesus regularly made time to get away to be alone with His Father and rest, and He taught His disciples to do the same. We can fill our lives with busyness and miss that one thing that is most important: to "come away" with Jesus and rest. "Now listen: this rest was not just an absence of work - for some of you that is Saturday or even Sunday, or a Friday afternoon or some other day in the week where you cease employment and therefore rest ensues. This was more than just an absence of work, this was a decision to suspend work. They decided to stop what they were doing and draw aside. Now some people think: 'I'm going to wait for a day when it will be convenient for me to take a rest', or spiritually, 'I'm going to wait for a day when it will be convenient for me to draw close to the Lord'. What happens? It never happens! Waiting for something that is within our own power to do is ridiculous! We ourselves have the choice to, as James said, draw near to God and He will draw near to us.'" (Pastor David Legge)

The Only Door

"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." 

John 10:9

Jesus gives an incredible invitation to sinners in this verse: Come to me and be saved. He will never force Himself on anyone, but everyone is welcome to enter into His rest. Jesus says, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me  — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly" (Matthew 11:28-30 The Message). People fight and wrestle to find some other door to God when Jesus showed us the one and only door is Him. Now knowing this is not the same as entering through the door. The door is open as long as we have the breath of life, but we have to make a conscious decision to walk through it. On which side of the door are you standing?

Weary Souls Restored

“He restores my soul.”

Psalm 23:3

There is a beautiful restoration that comes to our weary souls when we cling to Jesus. The same loving arms that stretched out on the cross to save our souls, now stretch out to pull us close. Safe in His arms the clamor and clatter of the world is shut out and we enjoy sweet communion with our Savior.  He whispers our name and reminds us that we belong to Him. When we are weak, He is strong. 

Silent and Still

"My soul, wait in silence for God only,

         For my hope is from Him."

Psalm 62:5

The implication of this verse is to be silent and still before the Lord. It is good to take a day, such as the Sabbath, and just rest. No agenda. Put everything aside and just relax in God's presence. Have you allowed yourself to do that this week?  How about doing so right now? 

Soulful Rest

"Return to your rest, O my soul,

         For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you." 

Psalm 116:7

In the distance a bull elk rests in a golden meadow. He appears to be at peace. Not a care in the world. Oh that we would recognize the Lord's bountiful blessings in our lives and peacefully rest in Him.