REST
06th Mar 2019
Not to be found in the absence of work or other relaxing activities, but rather released by the presence of the Godhead internally.
A few days ago I met with a local clergyman with whom I am working, who was not able to engage in what we had planned because he was overwhelmed with work and couldn’t see how to accomplish what he needed to in the available time. We released him from our agenda and prayed for him to receive wisdom and peace.
I found myself pondering on his dilemma and began to reflect on God’s rest. Hebrew 4:6-11 tells us that rest is discovered when we cease from our own activities and enter into God’s rest, we are also encouraged to make every effort to find that rest.
In Exodus 33 God tells Moses that rest and presence are intrinsically linked, “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” v14. Moses had already experienced the burn out of over activity and God used his father-in-law Jethro to help him change his work pattern. (Exodus chapter 18)
God’s presence and the rest He gives was to be a distinguishing mark for the Children of Israel. Moses said, “How will anyone know that your are pleased with me and your people if you don’t go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people and all the other people on the face of the earth?” (Exodus 33:15-16)
Living and demonstrating rest should be our distinguishing mark. Living out of rest/presence causes supernatural strength to flow into your physical body and tasks that you felt you could not possibly accomplish will be done in peace.
I have lived without rest and known the exhaustion of limited human resources and busyness. But I have discovered I achieve more living from a place of rest - I don’t do less! I am more effective when I allow God to give me wisdom, anointing and ability and I work from a place of peace and presence, and His Spirit will even tell me what order to undertake tasks.
Are you worn out doing things that God has not initiated? Let His presence and rest be your hallmark and others will start asking you about your source of peace.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
