Receiving the Refreshment of the LordSample

Day 1- Introduction

Refreshment...rest…words that seem to be foreign to us at times, especially during times of struggle or pain, or when life just isn’t going the way we thought it would. We talk about looking for rest, or finding refreshment, or some other phrase that indicates that refreshment is somehow lost, that we must seek it out and work for it. In the world, we look for it in shopping, spa days, vacations (in which we fill every minute so we can get the most for our money), or in hobbies; you get the picture. None of those things are inherently bad. As a matter of fact, they can be relaxing and fun. But the rest and refreshment the world offers are NOT free and are only temporary. Not so when it comes to the rest and refreshment God offers. He INVITES us to rest and promises to provide it. Psalm 23 says that He “Makes me to lie down in green pastures.” In Exodus, the Lord said to Moses, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” But, when we find ourselves in the midst of uncertainty, strife, or emotional upheaval, rest is NOT what typically comes to mind. The enemy of our souls uses these times in life to try to rob us of peace and rest by filling our hearts and minds with fear, doubt, blame, anger, and shame.

In my own life, God called me to take a leap of faith into what felt to me like a great unknown. I obeyed the call but found that the path of obedience is not always easy. As I faced the challenges that came, I felt like I was constantly striving, desperately trying to keep my head above water. I imagine that most of us have experienced times like that in our lives. But we don’t have to strive. We don’t have to struggle. As a matter of fact, God offers us just the opposite. He offers us His rest. And, in those times that we fight to control our situations and manipulate outcomes, He is gracious to remind us to rest in Him.

So how do we receive the lovely rest and refreshment God offers? We Recognize, Relinquish, Rest, Revere, and Rejoice. Over the next few days, we will look at each of these steps and what scripture says to us about God’s rest.

Thank you, Father, for the invitation to rest. Thank you that the rest you supply is refreshing and free. Help us to learn to say yes to your invitation.