God Wants You to RestSample

Rest in Green Pastures

He lets me rest in green pastures. -Psalm 23:2 NCV

A few years ago, God “made me” rest. On a trip to Panama when the plane landed, I felt without strength, sluggish, and I couldn’t pull down my carry-on bag from the overhead compartment. Once at my hotel, I went straight to bed to rest and recoup from my flight—so I thought. I got up ready to deliver my presentation, but the same feeling of tiredness persisted for three days. After I returned home, I visited my doctor and was rushed to the hospital. I woke up with a pacemaker. For the next four weeks I had mandatory rest so I could go on with life. The Lord indeed made me rest.

Sometimes we need to restart and reboot. Take a break for the spirit, the mind, and the body. Rest is healthy and needed.

“Remember the Sabbath . . .” (Exodus 20:8) is not a suggestion, it’s a commandment. God brings this to our attention by saying “remember” because we are forgetful. We don’t find time to rest. Truth be told: if we don’t rest our bodies will send us a costly bill to pay. We need rest to renew our strength.

As the psalmist says, God truly restores our souls when we rest in Him (Psalm 23:3). The word pictures in this psalm are serene and peaceful, reminding us of the beauty and necessity to “lie down,” or to rest, and to enjoy the green pastures near quiet waters (v. 2). The posture of lying down in green pastures invokes calmness and trust and security, where the sheep trust the shepherd completely. They trust that all their needs are provided for, and they “lack nothing” (v. 1).

We need a parenthesis, a moment of respite, of coming to the surface for air, when we take time out for God and for ourselves.

Alfonso Guevara

How do you plan to rest both your mind and body this week? How can resting help you find renewed faith?

Heavenly Father, thank You for guiding me in green pastures. Please help me to enjoy rest and renewal as I’m led by You.