"God Promises Rest"

Part 1 of "Sweet Like Honey"

The BIG Idea:

It's sweet to know that when we find life to be overwhelming, God has offered rest for us. When we find ourselves weary and burdened, sometimes it's because we have taken on a yoke or a way of living that comes from the world rather than from God. Living to please others can be crushing, but finding God is already pleased with us offers us rest.

God keeps God's promises.

How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! --Psalm 119:103 (NASB)

ILLUSTRATION: JAR OF HONEY (TIMELESS AND NEVER GOES OUT OF DATE)

When something is sweet and tasteful, we tend to go back to it.

²⁸  Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. --Matthew 11:28-29 (NASB)

-        The rest God promises requires that we show up.

Now they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. --Genesis 3:8 (NASB)

One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty. --Psalm 91:1 (NASB)

The way to find rest is to permit God to make our priority list each day.

-        The rest God promises requires we take.

ILLUSTRATION: THE YOKE JESUS DESCRIBES

The world only offers false hopes and promises for true rest. Only God can promise true rest for the weary soul.

ILLUSTRATION: MARSHALL'S SURGERY WHEN HE WAS JUST A FEW WEEKS OLD.

-        The rest God promises requires we learn.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. --Joshua 1:9 (NASB)

³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, ⁴ and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." -- Revelation 21:3-4 (NASB)

We do not have to be perfect. We must be willing.

 

Questions for Reflection:

The Psalmist and several other Biblical writers inspired by the Holy Spirit enjoyed discussing honey when describing the sweetness or the goodness of God. Do you have an adjective you would use to describe God's Word in a similar way?

 

Have you considered the theme before that is throughout Scripture of how God desires to be close to the people of God?

 

What keeps us from "showing up" for God when it comes to our faith journey?

 

What is it that the world offers in comparison to what God offers?

 

What is weighing you down today?

 

What is holding you back from experiencing deep soulful contentment in your life?