Scripture: Ezekiel 48:35 – And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.
Are you tired, and looking for rest?
I’d wager a good number of us look for the latter in more sleep or another K-drama binge. In reality, our leisurely pursuits often end up leaving us feeling even more tired than before because they’re what we want – but not what we need.
We need true rest. That’s not a state of forced idleness or the absence of striving. True, Sabbath rest is a function of delight, wonder, and presence.
DELIGHT
To delight is to receive great pleasure from something.
In the creation narrative of Genesis 1-2, God delighted in his work when He saw creation as individually “good”, and collectively “very good”.
The Creator God Himself found delight in His work, and then He rested. We are told to do the same.
Pressing into God and delighting in Him – especially when we don’t feel like it – reaps rest that is truly restorative.
In The Dangerous Duty of Delight, John Piper writes that we are commanded to pursue pleasure in God. This might look like worshipping God even when we don’t feel like it. For when we pursue the joy that Jesus promises – God is glorified in this pursuit.
WONDER
Wonder is a blend of amazement, curiosity, and longing. It is to admire something that cannot be fully comprehended or understood in its complexity or beauty – something beyond yourself.
God intends for us to experience deep wonder in our walk with Him. We are rested and invigorated when we marvel.
God intends for us to experience deep wonder in our walk with Him. We are rested and invigorated when we marvel – firmly recognizing that our little life is led by the Hand of an infinite God.
PRESENCE
Finally, true rest comes when we are aware of God’s presence with us.
Whether we are numb to it or have forgotten – we all have an innate, heartfelt need for God. We want to feel His love, taste His goodness firsthand and hear His voice for ourselves.
In the Bible, “Jehovah Shammah” (Ezekiel 48:35) was used to name the city in Ezekiel’s final vision, in which God was to be eternally present. And in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20), Jesus assures his disciples of His presence to the very end of the age as bring the Gospel to the nations.
We all have an innate need for something profoundly higher in our lives, and nothing is more desirable than the very presence of God.
In a frantic life, He calls me to a pause. He blows the dust from my eyes, that I might see the world His way, delighting in the beauty amidst brokenness – knowing Him as Father.
And as I wonder at His glorious works, my eyes are further opened to a majestic tapestry He is weaving – one which He lets me be a part of!
And while I marvel at the privilege, He graces me with His presence. Each time I have to face the darkness in my life, I know Jesus waits for me with love and compassion in his eyes.
“I will give you rest, and so, so much more,” is what He says to me.
Dear friend, can you hear Him saying it to you too?
Today’s devotion was contributed by Thir.st https://thirst.sg/delight-wonder-presence/
Reflection Questions:
- In which of these ways will you start to seek rest in your daily life?
- I will delight in the Lord and His promises.
- I will gaze in wonder at God’s marvelous works.
- I will remind myself of God’s presence with me.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is only in You that we find true rest. I pray, Lord, that as I delight in You, gaze in wonder at Your works, and become aware of Your presence, I would begin to feel that deep rest in my spirit. You are my heavenly Father, and I know that You will give me rest. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer Pointers:
Pray for someone who never seems to rest, or who finds it difficult to rest. Pray that they would sense God’s invitation to delight, wonder, and become aware of His presence.
