REST in His Presence

In today’s busy, busy world, there is often a lack of time taken to rest. By some, it is looked on as unproductive and “wasted” time, but even the medical professionals are confirming this need in our lives. God worked for six days and then rested on the seventh. HE gave us this pattern to follow. Does God really get tired? Think about it. I think He was showing us what we needed to do and then put a boundary there because He knew we would have a tendency to overload our schedules or be overloaded by others.

When we set aside time alone with Him, we renew our focus. It is there we will be refreshed and regain our strength. Jesus recognized the need for peace in our lives. He is the “Prince of Peace.” He often withdrew from the crowds (even when there were still obvious needs) and spent time alone with God. If HE needed this time, how much more do we need time away?

There are so many things that steal our Peace: Fear, Anxiety, Worry, Depression, Self-Condemnation, Guilt, Doubts, Distrust & Suspicion, Discontentment, Jealousy, Envy, Busyness & Weariness, and so many more. It is this wearing down that drains us not only of our peace, but also our strength and eventually, our health. This is not God’s plan for us.

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. (Isaiah 26:3 Amplified Bible)

God promises to guard us – sheltered under His protection. HE will keep us in perfect and constant peace, but don’t miss the KEY to this promise. It is for “…whose mind is stayed on Him.” With our every inclination - this means every thought – where our minds naturally wonder to, as well as in our character (Is He your first thought?)

He KEEPS us in peace when we have committed ourselves completely to Him, including our minds with all of its thoughts, plans and dreams.

He KEEPS us in peace when we think on these things: whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. (Philippians 4:8 Amplified Bible)

He KEEPS us in peace when we lean on Him and Trust that HIS ways are Higher and Wiser and Better than our ways.

He KEEPS us in peace when our hope is in Him and not in our “Plan B” in case this “Christian thing” doesn’t quite work out the way we want it to.

He KEEPS us in peace when we purpose to spend quality time with Him.

I have been listening to a Jason Upton song a lot lately called, “In Your Presence.” I hear the lyrics as they keep repeating in my mind:

In Your Presence, all fear is gone, in Your Presence;
In Your Presence, is where I belong, in Your Presence.

Peace is so valuable and yet sometimes it is so elusive. There is no substitute for peace. Don’t trade away your peace or let it be stolen from you. Listen for HIS voice as He says to you: “Peace, Be Still” and “Be Still and Know that I Am God.” (YOUR God!!)

Peace be unto you today as you seek Him and “REST in His Presence.”

Selah Y

What is the Carnival of Beauty?

Each week women from around the world write on a specially selected topic allowing them to reflect on the beauty of Christ in the world around us.

What is the purpose of the Carnival of Beauty?

1. Encourage women by reflecting the beauty of Christ in our writing.

2. Meet women online who cherish the beauty of Christ that we might not have met otherwise.

Please join us as we seek to glorify Christ in our writing!
Join this week's Hostess: Sara @ Stones of Remembrance

This week's Theme: The Beauty of Peace