Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
On Monday (Sept. 24) evening we spent some time pampering our hands, eating chocolate, visiting with friends, and meeting some new people. I’m sure some of the women who came were seeking rest; some relief from the crazy world we are in; or from the schedule that they are trying to keep. Maybe you’re tired.
This past summer a group of ladies met weekly and together we read through a book called Traveling Light by Max Lucado. Here's an exert from it…
"I'll give you the consequences of the burden; you guess the cause.
- It afflicts 70 million Americans and is faulted for 38,000 deaths each year.
- The condition annually costs the U.S. $70 billion worth of productivity.
- Teenagers suffer from it. Studies show that 64% of teens blame it for poor school performance.
- Middle agers face it. Researchers say the most severe cases occur between ages thirty and forty.
- Senior citizens are afflicted by it. One study suggests that the condition impacts 50% of the over sixty-five population.
- Treatments involve everything from mouth guards to herbal teas to medication.
Chemical abuse? Divorce? Long sermons? None of those answers are correct, though the last one was a good hunch. The answer may surprise you. Insomnia. America can't get to sleep."
I think it's safe to say that Canada probably can't either.
God ordained rest way back when he created and then rested (Genesis 2:1-3). And he wants to lead you there. Look again at Psalm 23 again…
He – makes me lie down
He – leads me beside still waters
He – leads me in paths of righteousness
Who is he? He is LORD. In the NIV, (New International Version), when the word ‘Lord’ is written in all capitals, it means “Yahweh” which is the Hebrew for “I AM”. I’m going to quote Max’s book again because he had a relatively simple explanation for this name.
"The name I AM sounds strikingly close to the Hebrew verb to be - havah. It's quite possibly a combination of the present tense form (I am) and the causative tense (I cause to be). Yahweh, then, seems to mean "I AM" and "I cause." God is the "One who is" and the "One who causes."
This is God’s name. We say, when we are telling people our name – “I am Sam or I am Kathryn or I am Maria”. God just says I AM.
Psalm 23 says that God will lead you into rest – even in the midst of trouble. Notice, in verse 4, walking in the valley of the shadow of death; we can count on safety and comfort so we don't have to fear. In verse 5, we are told that God will prepare for us a table in the presence of our enemies. He's providing for us in the midst of trouble. He's giving you rest beyond what we can find for ourselves.
We can experience a bit of physical relief, some comfort in conversation, the great taste of chocolate, and pamper ourselves with pedicures or massages. Even though these things are great…and I think it’s important to take time to slow your pace; they can never give you the true rest that you are seeking; because it won’t last.
The bath will get cold and you’ll have to empty the tub and get out. Your nails will break and you’ll have to get them filled. The massage will end, the lotion will wash off and your feet will ache after a day of working. You may lose a friend or family member to cancer; or tire of constantly holding it all together by yourself; you may even realize that finding inner peace just isn't working.
Jesus said... well wait a minute. Why should we care what Jesus says? Let's look at John 8:57
"Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am!"
Did you see that!? He just used God's name! Jesus is God. He just said he was; so you can either believe him or think he's nuts. Look also at John 10:27-30
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one."
Again, Jesus says that he is God; that he is 'one' with God.
So, in Matt. 11:28-29, Jesus says;
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Rest for your soul is given by Jesus. You can find rest and peace in Jesus Christ. And I want you to know that rest and peace. You can have more than that too. We just read in John 10, that in Jesus we have eternal life and that no one can take us from him once he's let us in. Come before Jesus, repent, and learn from him. It's a promise; you'll find true, lasting rest.
I’ll close with some good advice from Philippians 4:4-9.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
Go in peace and in rest. And seek these things in Jesus Christ and you'll never run out.
