Part 4 of SWAGG's June series about resting in God
Too often, my mind feels like this. My thoughts spiral and begin to overlap, making it hard to think clearly or stay focused.
Recently, I saw something that said that Satan keeps you busy to distract you. Satan keeps my mind busy to stop or disrupt my sleep, my writing, my health, my joy, and especially my relationship with Jesus.
This is why we need to take time to rest in God, it allows us to get restoration, ease from our problems, simplification, as well as, a re-tightening of our relationship with Him.
There's nothing more refreshing or revitalizing than feeling deeply connected with God again. My prayer for you and me is that we may posture ourselves to be tightened up to God this week!
I couldn’t have predicted the way this series ended up going. I didn’t really have it planned out, not even the answer to how to truly rest in God. He later revealed to me, that true rest is in heart postures. That’s what is cool about a relationship with God, and why Him tightening it is the most needed part of resting.
In Luke, Jesus tells a story to show how much God values our relationship. God is represented by the dad and we’re the son, who has realized that he hurt his father and has done some bad stuff. The son decides that being his father’s servant would be better than the life he has now and goes to humbly ask to be his servant. Humility is the first posture. Then, the son goes to his father and repents. James also calls us to a heart of repentance. Therefore, the second posture is repentance, turning from our sinful desires back to Jesus. In both Matthew and James, we’re told to come to God. To come close to God is to desire Him and His presence. Desiring Him is another posture of wanting a tighter relationship. The last posture, quietness, can be found in Romans. Paul states that the Holy Spirit tells us that we’re God’s children; however, to hear this clearly and more often we must invite in quietness.
God tightens our relationship by: One, affirming our relationship with Him. When the son chose a posture of humility and repentance, the father called him son and celebrated their reconnection. Also, the Holy Spirit declares over us that we’re God’s children. Next, He comes nearer to us. God’s always with us, but when we desire His presence, He comes even closer. Thirdly, He gently teaches us. When we desire God, it opens our hearts to better receive His teaching, tightening our relationship.
Here’s what not to do to rest in God: Think that God doesn’t care – Jesus died to save and have a relationship with you. Avoid God – Even in your failures, God wants to be there with you and help you. Live in doubt – Once you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, and meant it, the Holy Spirit will give you confidence that You are God’s child. Believe that you’re too far from God – He’s always with you, nothing can separate you from His love.
God’s Guidance:
Luke 15:20-24 (NIV) “So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
James 4:8 (NIV) “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV) ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Romans 8:16 (NIRV) “The Spirit himself joins with our spirits. Together they tell us that we are God’s children.”
Romans 8:32 (NIV) “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
Romans 8:38-39 (NIRV) “I am absolutely sure that not even death or life can separate us from God’s love. Not even angels or demons, the present or the future, or any powers can separate us. Not even the highest places or the lowest, or anything else in all creation can separate us. Nothing at all can ever separate us from God’s love. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.”
Application:
1. Ask God to block anything that might be hindering your relationship with Him
2. Talk to God about how close you feel your relationship is and what it means to you
3. Let go of the need to always be thinking or talking and let quietness and God's presence fill that space
Strength Point:
A strong relationship with God is the greatest thing that anyone could ever have. It can fix all our problems, bring us limitless joy and peace, and empower us to love others. God desires to have a relationship with everyone.
Reflection Question:
What disrupts your relationship with God?
Prayer Prompt:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for the most amazing gift of a relationship with You. You are the best friend anyone could ever desire to have. I’m sorry for taking it for granted or growing away from You. I want to continue to grow closer to You throughout my whole life. Please tighten me towards You and all that You want me to abide in. Help me to take the postures that show how much I want to be near to You and __. Remind me that You always love me and desire to hang out with me. I pray that You would block anything in my life that is causing a strain on my relationship with You. I want to desire to spend time with You, not feel __. Thank you for never giving up on me and continuing to pursue all of me. I love you forever!
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