Confidence, Trust and Thanksgiving Rest

Chapter 4 summary:

Sabbath is preparedness training for difficult times. Just like the Jews keep sabbath in time of peace and in times of war. They kept the sabbath, just as the sabbath kept them (going).

Rest comes from complete trust and confidence in God. To illustrate, a baby sleep soundly because of trust in parents' providence. If there is no trust, we will start worrying over tomorrow and find no rest.

On a personal experience, I have notice how stray cats sleep in my neighbourhood. Most of them sleep in a defensive manner, body curl up. However, few sleep in an unglamorous manner, in open legs position, this would leave them in a vulnerable position. I came to conclude that a cat sleep in a vulnerable position has complete trust in its environment.

Psalm 4:8 "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."

David find rest in God alone despite being chase and torment by his enemies because of his trust in God. Psalm 62

Verse 5-8 "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God[c]; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."

Giving thanks and praise in midst of life's hardships and injustices. We can follow Paul and Silas example. In Acts 16:16-40, Paul and Silas was thrown into prison for freeing a slave girl from a spirit that tells the future, because the owner is upset with the lost of fortune. Paul and Silas did not complain but rather sing hymns giving praise to God. The rest is history.

God is greater and bigger than all our challenges. There are no life issue that our God can't fix, if you put your trust in Him.

Source: The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan

Image source: Public Domain Pictures

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