Solomon tells us that “a happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing” (Proverbs 17:22, AMP ). God undoubtedly has a sense of humor; we need only look at some of the animals He created (it’s hard not to smile at the sight of a hippo, a monkey, or a puppy). Or think of some of the married couples you know: don’t you think God was smiling at the wedding as He looked ahead to the interaction of the wildly different personalities that will be living together?Posts Tagged ‘rest’
the land had rest
Yesterday, I read the story of Asa, king of Judah, in 2 Chronicles 14 — 16. I like reading about the kings in the Old Testament, because their lives so clearly show the long-term consequences of obedience and disobedience to God. Their stories also show the impact of one generation upon another as sons follow in the […]
“Rest That Remains”
As I was writing “helping your soul to rest in peace,” I remembered the words of a hymn by Charles Wesley, based on Hebrews 3 and 4; I know it from a recording by worship leader Craig Smith. The lyrics are beautiful and worth meditating on:
Lord I believe in a rest that remains
To all Thy people known
A rest where pure enjoyment reigns
And Thou art loved alone
A rest where all our souls’ desire
Is fixed on the things above
Where doubt and pain and fear expire
Cast out by perfect love…
helping your soul to rest in peace
One of the aspects of The Little Book of Hours that I like best is that the morning and evening prayers end with this:
May the souls of the faithful by the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
This repetition of “rest in peace” was one of the first things that caught my attention when I started using the prayer book several years ago. Growing up, the only time I heard “rest in peace” was in regard to gravestones, so I wondered why this prayer was a a regular feature. I concluded that while the original intent of the prayer may have been for the “dearly departed,” I was going to speak it as a prayer for myself and my family…
some thoughts on rest and peace
Drop thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace…
God’s work-rest rhythm
Benny Tabalujan makes a compelling argument for honoring the sabbath in “Re-discovering Sabbath” in the most recent issue of Regent Business Review. Tabalujan explains that sabbath is not so much about resting as reflecting:
God used the sabbath to look over, reflect upon, enjoy and celebrate the work he performed. It follows that if work is about results, then sabbath is about reflection; if work is preoccupied with mission, then sabbath delves into meaning.…
“Jesus, I am resting, resting”
I was listening to the Martins today singing “Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting,” and I heard the lyrics in a way I had not before…
“my faith has found a resting place”
My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead…
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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