His Restoring Rest

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28, NIV).

 

When I am exhausted and depleted, I go to Him for rest. When I feel drained emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, I go to Him for rest. But I don't just go. I stay. I wait. I abide in Him (John 15:5). I let go of all that pulls me down and drains my heart and spirit (Philippians 4:6). And I stay with Him. I stop all that rushes my mind and disturbs my spirit. I go to Him because I know He alone is my help and my restorer. He is my help in my time of need. His presence is constant and sure, and I wait until He fills every crevice of my tired and hurting heart. I rest until my racing mind has calmed. He is my Sabbath rest, my complete rest of body, mind, heart, and spirit from all that I endure. I will make every effort to enter that promise of rest in His presence (Hebrews 4:9, 10).

His rest has no fear. It has no burden. His rest is the gift of His peace that passes all human understanding (Philippians 4:7). His rest keeps me in perfect peace when I dwell on Him (Isaiah 26:3). His rest is a time that I apply all my mental, emotional, and spiritual needs to prayer and to His Word. His rest is a time of spiritual growth. His rest supplies all that I lack. I rest in Him until He shows me it is time to rise again–until my spirit resounds with His strength and purpose–until my mind is at peace–until all is well again.

Whatever your struggle or pain or heartache or need, make every effort to enter His peaceful rest, and remain until you, too, are strong again. Remain until His presence pours strength, joy, and purpose into your heart. The moment will come when it is time to rise again to your purpose. When that time comes, move out in His strength and power. That purpose might have at one time drained you to the point of despair, but after rest and restoration in Him, that purpose is now your life once more (Romans 11:29). Step out in faith and purpose and strength and victory and grace that only such rest in His presence imparts. Look up, and take His hand. Move forward into His purpose for your life.