Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today, let’s look into worry-free rest

Today’s scripture, Psalms 23:1-3 (NLT) testifies…
[1] The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. [2] He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. [3] He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Consider…
Today’s familiar scripture describes an ideal break.

First, an ideal break includes having no worries. This makes me think of worry-free vacations at all-inclusive resorts or on cruises. The resort or cruise price includes food, lodging and entertainment. Some cruise lines and resort chains have even partnered with airlines to make the price more appealing and valuable. However, there is no price more appealing than what God offers. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) says…
[7] Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Notice, God offers to take all of our worries and cares because He cares.

But this isn’t the only scripture that describes the worry-free experience God offers us. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) encourages…
[6] Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

These worry-freeing promises from God helps me better understand why David could confidently testify…
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

As I repeated verse one, it occured to me that sheep trust their shepherd with their lives and complete well being. And thinking of that fact pressed play on Kirk Franklin and God’s Property singing…

You don’t have to worry
And don’t you be afraid
Joy comes in the morning
Troubles they don’t last always
For there’s a friend in Jesus
Who will wipe your tears away
And if your heart is broken
Just lift your hands and say

Oh, I know that I can make it
I know that I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands
With Jesus I can take it
With Him I know I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands

So I hope you take advantage of God’s worry-free offers today.

The second thing included in an ideal break is allowance for rest. I imagine we have all had a “vacation” that was more work than rest and relaxation. Times when you were more tired and stressed from the vacation than you were at work or school. Fortunately, with God we’re told He lets me rest in green meadows and leads me beside peaceful streams.

Now it’s easy to stop with the blessing of rest, however where God allows us to rest is equally significant. You see sheep eat grass, therefore we’re allowed to rest at an all you can eat buffet. But the food the Lord makes available to us is His word. Deuteronomy 8:3 (NLT) helps us understand this, by what the Lord said to His chosen people. The verses says…
[3] Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Wow! 🤯. The Holy Spirit just showed me that God allows us to rest in His word. Here’s what’s even deeper, Jesus is God’s word (John 1:1). Therefore, we really can rest in Jesus and consume Him. In case you wonder why I say that, look at Jesus’ words in John 6:53-58 (NLT)…
[53] So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. [54] But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. [55] For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. [56] Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. [57] I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. [58] I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”

Notice, Jesus speaks of eating and drinking what He sacrificed for us. Jesus wasn’t describing cannibalism, instead He is speaking of fully partaking of His salvation.

So I encourage you to rest and dine in Jesus. I base that recommendation on Matthew 11:28 (NLT)…
[28] Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

And Psalms 34:8 (NLT)…
[8] Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

The third and final thing today’s scripture shows as part of an ideal break is spiritual renewal and guidance. This runs my mind to…

Ephesians 4:23-24 (NLT)…
[23] Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. [24] Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

And Galatians 5:16 NLT
[16] So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

God wants us to rest in Jesus so that we can become siblings of and transformed into the image of Jesus. (Romans 8:29)

Hopefully today’s post encourages you to take your breaks with the Lord, who is your Shepherd. That’s because…

• It’s worry-free
• Allows for rest and eternal sustenance
• Provides spiritual renewal and guidance

Today’s Song is…
Psalm 23

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)