10-12-2023

Good Morning All,

                Isaiah 32:18; “My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”   

      I often hear people tell me how they need to get away for a while.  They need a break, and they need to rest and recharge.  I recently read where if you are having trouble sleeping, research seems to point to going camping for a week and to be sure and leave ALL your electronic devices home.  This helps to reset our natural clock and the rhythm of normal sleep patterns.  As technologically connected as we are, it can, and often does, disrupt our life patterns and rhythms.  If your life patterns and rhythms are disrupted enough, it can have a detrimental impact on your health. 

    So, it is interesting that Isaiah picks up on this.  Notice in our verse he lists three events or places for us, as God’s children to be.  First, we will abide in peaceful habitation.  Here we can see the relationship that we have with God is no longer one where we are the adversary or enemy of God, but that God has declared peace with us through Jesus.  We live in peace with God.  We no longer hide from God; he draws us into his loving arms.

    Since we are no longer an enemy of God, he surrounds us with his love.  This is what the psalmist meant about us “hiding in the shadow of your wings.”  Just like the young chick is kept safe and secure all nestled into the wings of the hen so to we are secure in our dwelling which finds its place in God’s grace.

    So, we have a peaceful and secure place to live.  We dwell (set up camp) in the safety of God’s mercy.  This is where we are always safe and at peace, living in God’s mercy.  Yet even then, we face struggles every day.  The devil attacks every moment of every day.  It takes many forms; pressure on our time, pressure on the views of the world, pressure about worries about health or wealth or personal relationships.  God helps us deal with this but, just like Jesus, sometimes we need a quiet place to go and pray and rest.

    So, we too, need a place to go and pray and rest in the Lord.  As difficult as it is, we need to take some time and rest in God’s presence.  We need to take some time, find a quiet spot, read a little Scripture, and then take time and pray.  This can help you rest just as much as the vaunted power nap, maybe even more.  It rests our bodies, but it nourishes our souls.  It revitalizes our spirit to make us whole.

    So, find a spot, a favorite chair, a bench in the park (it might need to be warmer, but it will be), a seat on the deck; someplace where you can tune out the noise of the world, focus on God’s Word and rest in his mercy.  Take time to listen to God and to speak to God; it is here where we find our resting place.

Father of mercy, in a world that offers no place of safety or rest, you are our shield, our hope and our home.  Guide us to find rest in your arms.  Hide us in the shadow of your grace filled wings.  Be with those who have no peace.  Send your Holy Spirit to strengthen and comfort them.  Be with us gracious Lord.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret