Revelation 6:11
White robes were given to each of
them, and they were told to rest a little longer until their other
brothers, fellow servants of Jesus, had been martyred on the earth and
joined them.
The Living
Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All
rights reserved.
When
my sister, brother and I were little, I remember having to lie down to
rest on summer afternoons while our “kiddie pool” filled with water…and
said water warmed a bit. Sometimes we napped, but often, we tossed and
turned and waited until our parents allowed us to get up and go outside
to play in the water. If you have spent any time with a toddler or young
child, you know how hard it can be to persuade him/her to rest for a
while and/or wait on an upcoming event…like a swim at the pool, a play
date, or maybe a treat of some sort. In the words of the evil magician
in the movie, “Frosty the Snowman” - who wanted his “magic” hat back -
“I want it [that hat]…and I want it NOW!”
We are impatient
people. And the wonderful thing is that God understands that! Even
the martyrs of the Bible who were killed for preaching the Good News
about Jesus were told in John’s Revelation dream…”rest a little longer
until more martyrs join you!” Hopefully whatever we are waiting for
does not involve the peril of others. But often, God calls on us to
wait for something. And in this waiting, He calls upon us to rest – to
chill out, relax, be patient, and to be content where we are in this
moment.
This is really a big order for a lot of us. We want
everything to be resolved right away. We don’t want to feel better in a
few days…we want to be well NOW! We can’t wait for “Mr. or Miss
Right”…we have to have a companion this week! We have asked God to
answer our prayers…and we meant TODAY…not some nebulous date in the
future that He chooses! And all the while, God often gently listens to
us and whispers, “There, there…rest just a little while longer!”
Where
is God calling you to rest a little longer today? Where do you need to
trust His timing more and demand less? Are there areas of your life in
which you have failed to exercise patience? How content are you this
day with how God is orchestrating your circumstances? How sure are you
of God’s presence and timing?
If the martyrs who suffered and
died to share the Gospel of Jesus can wait…don’t you think we can hang
on a little longer, too? Let’s “put on a white robe” and rest in God’s
love and care. His answers will come…the time of rest will end. You
will have plenty of time to “dip in the pool” of God’s promises and the
good things He holds in store for you!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label relax and rest in God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label relax and rest in God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for July 5, 2014
Psalm 37:7
Be patient and trust the Lord.
Don’t let it bother you
when all goes well for those
who do sinful things.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Probably every single one of us knows someone who seems to “get by with murder”. We know people who slack off in their jobs – or treat coworkers, employees, students and friends terribly – and still seem to “always come out on top”. We could probably all name someone who cheats and never seems to get caught…or someone who has spread gossip all over the place about every “friend” he/she claims…and still, these persons are lauded as “a wonderful person”. We are familiar with situations where we feel like we work hard to work hard…and to do the right thing…and those who refuse to “play by the rules” seem to get ahead farther and faster than we ever can.
Here’s the thing…this is not our problem! These people are not our responsibility…it is not our job to compare our own lives to theirs. We don’t answer to them…we answer to God. And sometimes, that can seem like a tough row to hoe! Why does God allow things to be so difficult for those of us who are obedient and serve faithfully - while others seem to be having all the fun (and getting all of the glory and benefits)?
Truthfully, nothing gets by God. If you watch long enough and pay close attention, you will see that these people ultimately have some sort of “comeuppance” or failure of sorts. AND…all of your own needs are continually met! You may not be the richest, most prominent person in town. You may not have even the semblance of a huge following of friends and hangers-on. But you have something far more valuable…you have God’s favor!
If you continue reading in Psalm37:9-11, you will see that “All sinners will disappear, but if you trust the Lord, the land will be yours. Sinners will soon disappear, never to be found, but the poor will take the land and enjoy a big harvest.” And in verses 16-19, it says, “It is better to live right and be poor than to be sinful and rich. The wicked will lose all of their power, but the Lord gives strength to everyone who is good. Those who obey the Lord are daily in his care, and what he has given them will be theirs forever. They won’t be in trouble when times are bad, and they will have plenty when food is scarce.”
In other words, God will reward your faithfulness. He will meet your needs. You can rest and relax, because you will never lack anything of significance! Notice I didn’t say you will have EVERYTHING…but you will have everything you need, according to God’s will. So focus on doing what is right and true…what you have prayerfully heard God tell you to do. Make His will your priority…and quit worrying about what the other guy has – or what he/she is doing. God is more than able to provide for your needs…and handle those who disobey and disrespect him. Nobody truly “gets by with murder”…and focusing on those who try is a waste of our time and energy. Are you busy doing the right thing and trusting God? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Be patient and trust the Lord.
Don’t let it bother you
when all goes well for those
who do sinful things.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Probably every single one of us knows someone who seems to “get by with murder”. We know people who slack off in their jobs – or treat coworkers, employees, students and friends terribly – and still seem to “always come out on top”. We could probably all name someone who cheats and never seems to get caught…or someone who has spread gossip all over the place about every “friend” he/she claims…and still, these persons are lauded as “a wonderful person”. We are familiar with situations where we feel like we work hard to work hard…and to do the right thing…and those who refuse to “play by the rules” seem to get ahead farther and faster than we ever can.
Here’s the thing…this is not our problem! These people are not our responsibility…it is not our job to compare our own lives to theirs. We don’t answer to them…we answer to God. And sometimes, that can seem like a tough row to hoe! Why does God allow things to be so difficult for those of us who are obedient and serve faithfully - while others seem to be having all the fun (and getting all of the glory and benefits)?
Truthfully, nothing gets by God. If you watch long enough and pay close attention, you will see that these people ultimately have some sort of “comeuppance” or failure of sorts. AND…all of your own needs are continually met! You may not be the richest, most prominent person in town. You may not have even the semblance of a huge following of friends and hangers-on. But you have something far more valuable…you have God’s favor!
If you continue reading in Psalm37:9-11, you will see that “All sinners will disappear, but if you trust the Lord, the land will be yours. Sinners will soon disappear, never to be found, but the poor will take the land and enjoy a big harvest.” And in verses 16-19, it says, “It is better to live right and be poor than to be sinful and rich. The wicked will lose all of their power, but the Lord gives strength to everyone who is good. Those who obey the Lord are daily in his care, and what he has given them will be theirs forever. They won’t be in trouble when times are bad, and they will have plenty when food is scarce.”
In other words, God will reward your faithfulness. He will meet your needs. You can rest and relax, because you will never lack anything of significance! Notice I didn’t say you will have EVERYTHING…but you will have everything you need, according to God’s will. So focus on doing what is right and true…what you have prayerfully heard God tell you to do. Make His will your priority…and quit worrying about what the other guy has – or what he/she is doing. God is more than able to provide for your needs…and handle those who disobey and disrespect him. Nobody truly “gets by with murder”…and focusing on those who try is a waste of our time and energy. Are you busy doing the right thing and trusting God? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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