Part 1 of SWAGG's June Series about resting in God
I don't know about you, but this has been an incredibly busy season for me. And with all that's been going on in the world... I just think we need a reminder of what it's really like to rest in the God of creation.
Resting in God doesn’t require an action. Resting in God is crying, “God, I really need You to take over.” Resting in God is a posture of heart.
The Bible shares about good postures of heart to have. In Isaiah, it explains that we’re all going to get tired, but that there’s restoration for those who hope in the God. Hoping in God is having a firm belief that God is taking care of things, even when they seem to be doomed. David and Elisha postured their hearts in prayer. They asked God for restoration and believed He’d do it. Paul tells us to have a posture of surrender. We should be willing to have a surrendered heart to God’s renewal process. King Nebuchadnezzar took a posture of humility and respect. We must understand that we can’t restore ourselves and that God does it out of grace, not because we deserve it.
Through God’s Word, we’re also provided the answer of what He restores. First, God renews our strength. This doesn’t pertain to only physical strength, but it can also be mental and spiritual. Next, He restores our health. God’s healing powers can be seen from the beginning of time to now; sometimes, this type of restoration isn’t physically felt until we get to heaven. God also restores life. God is able to raise the dead, and yet, also restore to us the love and joy of being alive. The fourth thing He restores is our identity. God renews our minds, reminding us that our identity is in Him, not whatever worldly things we’ve claimed it from. Furthermore, He restores a willing spirit. God graciously, even in our sin struggles, is willing to realign our spirit according to His direction. Comfort is another area God restores. The feeling of comfort that’s true and constant is available through God. Lastly, we find restoration of our sanity in Him. God was able to restore King Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity from an animal-like state to being a competent king, our sanity is never too far gone.
Here's what not to do when resting in God: Look to other things – Nothing else can truly restore us. Become bitter – God might be using your restorative journey to be a witness to others. Doubt – Part of having postures of hope and prayer is believing God’s promises.
God's Guidance:
Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV) – “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Psalm 51:12 (NIV) – “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
2 Kings 4:32-33, 35 (NIV) – “When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord.” “Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.”
Romans 12:2 (NIV) – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Daniel 4:34 (NIV) – “At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.”
Psalm 41:3 (NIV) – “The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”
Mark 3:5 (NIV) – “He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”
Isaiah 57:18 (NIV) – “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,”
Application:
1. Stop figuring out what you need to be doing and instead, ask God to help you to take a resting posture
2. Pray about surrendering the things that you need God to restore
3. Talk to God about how it feels to humbly wait for restoration
Strength Point:
God’s power to restore is unlimited, complete, perfectly timed, and revealing.
Prayer Prompt:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for Your restorative power that can literally uncover and then re-establish anything I have lost. Nothing else can do what you do! I’m sorry for when I look to other things for restoration. I also confess and repent from hoping to claim my identity, strength, and __ from other sources than You. I’m now putting everything aside, because, Lord, I really need You. Help me to live in my identity as Your precious child. I pray that You would refuel me with Your strength, for I can’t go much longer on my own energy and strength. I need You to renew my hope and __, so that I can live in meaning again. I’m choosing to rest in You, because You promise to give strength to the weak. Thank You that You’ll never get tired, that Your power and __ are never-ending. You are so good to me, Jesus! I love You!
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