Rest In The Battle

Ironically, it wasn’t until I couldn’t rest physically that I experienced real rest for the first time. Real rest is having a deep sense of peace and contentment even when your body is in a battle. For me the battle was a physical illness and when pain made it impossible to rest, God took me to a deeper place beyond my feelings.

Our weaknesses do not have to be a stumbling block. When the apostle Paul pleaded with God three times to remove the thorn in his flesh, God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians‬ 12‬:8‬) Sometimes we do not become aware of God’s grace until we are in the darkness. “I will give you treasures hidden in dark and secret places. Then you will know that I, the Lord God of Israel, have called you by name.”
(Isaiah‬ 45‬:3‬ CEV‬‬)

As I laid in bed, I did not have the energy or mental capacity to read or hold a conversation. But as a deer pants for flowing streams, my soul panted and thirsted for God (Psalm 42:1-2). As I desperately sought the Lord he heard and answered me (Psalm 34:4). He met me in the darkness and revealed his greatest treasure to me. He quenched my thirst with the one and only food that my soul needed to find rest. “When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.” (Jeremiah‬ 15‬:16‬ NLT‬‬). I listened to the Psalms for hours at a time and I experienced the peace that God gives in the midst of torment. I even fell asleep for periods of time listening to the promises of God.

If you are in a battle and you are having a hard time resting, do whatever you can to feed on God‘s word. Read it, listen to it and speak it. Jesus tells us to come to him, and he will give us rest (Matthew 11:28). John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is the Word of God so when we read or hear the word of God, we are coming to Jesus and receiving rest when we need it most. I especially like listening to the word of God out loud when I find it hard to concentrate. To get through battles in life, we need to have a faith that rests only in Christ, and faith comes from hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17).

God, you tell me that your Word is more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. Remind me to draw near to you through your Word when I face battles. Thank you for this treasure that you have made available to me so that I can find rest in every circumstance.

Throughout this day: set aside time to read or listen to God’s word. If you are not in a battle currently, doing it ahead of time will prepare you to hold onto the promises of God when you are in a battle. If you are in a battle today, immerse yourself in God‘s word so that you can stay near to him and be able to experience resting in Christ alone by faith.