Rest in the Lord

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. (Selah) – Psalm 143:5-6

 

Sometimes when it comes to serving the Lord, it is easy to identify with Paul’s statement that it is a race. We go here and serve, and then we go there and serve.

 

To run a race, we need to be in shape so we don’t tire out. If we run, and run, and run, however, we are bound to collapse from exhaustion.

 

I am so glad, then, that Scripture does not require us to run every second of every day. In fact, there are many Scriptures speaking about walking in the Lord, and even resting in the Lord.

 

I like to compare it to being a musician in an orchestra. If you are a violin player, then there is a very specific part written out for you to play. The notes you play, and how you play it, is integral to the composition. If you play when you are not supposed to, the music is not going to sound right, and you are going to anger the conductor.

 

When you are not playing, you are resting, which means you are waiting for your turn to play. Composers even write musical ‘rests’ into a composition, which tells the musician to be silent and not play.

 

In the Psalms, there are also ‘musical rests’ built in. We call this a ‘Selah’. When you come across one in a Psalm, it is telling you to stop, and rest. Think about the Lord. Meditate on Him. Sit at His feet and just allow Him to minister to you, and refresh you.

 

Reading Psalm 143, specifically verses 5-6, the psalmist appears to have been running for a long time. He finally reaches a point when he just needs to stop, and rest, and meditate on the works of the Lord. He longs for the Lord. Then we see a Selah, which tells the reader, “You too, take a rest, think about these things…where are you in your walk (or should I say, ‘run’) with the Lord?”

 

We need to have times of resting in the Lord because God is not through with us yet. We are in a race, and God has more for us to do. We are going to pick up and start running again, but before we can, we need to sit at His feet and take Him in.

 

We need to learn that this race is run and won in the Spirit, and not in the flesh. If our lives are spent running, and never resting, it is possible we are going to run right away from God because our flesh has a nasty way of sneaking in there to try to take the controls.

 

When we take the time to rest in the Lord, we can hear more clearly from Him our marching orders. We can understand our mission, and we receive direction and guidance from Him.

 

The Holy Spirit speaks to us in a still, small voice. We can only hear that voice when we are quiet in meditation, being still, and knowing He is God. Then, when we have our direction set, it is time to pick up and run towards the prize that awaits us.

 

If you have not taken a ‘Selah’ break in awhile, I encourage you to take some time, and rest in the Lord today.    

 

God bless you this week. See you at Bible Study.

Sharing our Testimonies

However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." - Mark 5:19

 

When was the last time you shared your testimony with someone? Do you remember the reaction they had to it? Did it make you want to share it again?

 

I am thinking about these things because as we get ready to go on our first mission trip to Germany in November, we are going to be sharing our testimonies with the German people. If I am honest with you, it has been awhile since I have shared it with anyone around here.

 

Yet, our testimonies are powerful.

 

In today’s world, there are many ways to witness to a person. We can take them to Bible verses. We can share apologetic answers with them to combat some of the things that are in the world right now. We can talk about the culture around us and the need to give our hearts to Christ.

 

All of these things are good and powerful in and of themselves, but each one of them can still illicit an argument from the other side. What cannot be argued, however, is what God has done in our lives personally.

 

In the book of Mark, Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was out of control. This man had no friends or family around. He was tormented daily by the demons possessing him.

 

Jesus had compassion on this man, and healed him. The demons were sent to a herd of pigs in a nearby field. The man, however, was completely saved. He became a new man no longer tormented. His head, maybe for the first time in his life, was clear, and he could see Jesus standing before him.

 

His reaction to the love Jesus showed him was natural. He wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus, however, had another plan for his life. Jesus wanted him to go to his family and people in the town, and share his testimony.  

 

Why did Jesus do this? Because He knew the man could be a better witness for Him by going and sharing what Jesus did. Remember, Jesus and the disciples were run out of town, so the only witness left at that point was the man and his testimony.

 

Jesus wants us to share our testimonies too. He is not always allowed in the homes of our friends and neighbors. They may not want to have anything to do with Him, but, when you share, they may listen. There can be no argument to what Jesus has done in your life personally.

 

I would encourage you (and me) to begin working on sharing your own testimony. Make it short and simple, and always focus on what Jesus has done and continues to do. It is a powerful witness and gives you an opportunity to plant some seeds, and maybe even water some.

 

Who knows, God may even use you and the testimony He has given you to lead others to Him. If you think about it, all of us are working on our testimonies daily.

 

Thank God He has given each of us a story to share. My prayer is for God to give all of us more boldness to begin to share more and more.

 

God bless you this week. See you at Bible Study.