Restful Tuesday
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
Insight
The last thing you want to talk about on a Tuesday is rest. You’ve just dealt with Manic Monday. The upcoming weekend is still a long way off with a wealth of appointments, demands, errands and obligations standing in your way. Right now, rest is either the furthest thing from your mind or the only thing you can think about.
The reality is we’ve become so dependent on our circumstances to be precisely arranged in order to rest. When everything gets done, then, and only then, can we rest. This rest, which always seems just out of our reach, is our obsession. We think that everything must be under control before we can even sit down, let alone take a day off.
Rest is more about trust than it is about control. We see this in many places throughout the Bible. One that I want to highlight today is the story of the Israelites at the Red Sea. Most of you know this story, but for those that don’t here is a Cliff Note version. The Israelites are miraculously delivered from the hands of the Egyptians. After 10 plagues and the near destruction of the greatest nation on Earth at the time, Pharaoh lets them go. God takes the Israelites on the scenic route and during that time Pharaoh changes his mind and sends his troops after them.
Pinned between the oncoming Egyptians in one direction and the Red Sea in the other, the Israelites freak out. They’re caught between a rock and a hard place. There’s tension, stress, fear and uncertainty. Sounds like a typical Tuesday, doesn’t it?
But, notice what Moses says to them:
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; YOU NEED ONLY TO BE STILL.” Exodus 14:13-14
Did you catch that insight? We understand the fact that God will fight for us. We can recite some of the promises of God (whether we depend on them is a different story). But, Moses gives us instructions for what we are to do in the midst of our frantic pace….BE STILL!
The idea is that we would find rest for our souls by letting God be God. We need to take a break from trying to run the whole universe. Rather than run rampant, we remain still. Grab hold of His promises, grab hold of His gift and be still.
To be still is to trust. So, I encourage you to be still and make that declaration before the week gets moving too fast.
Reflection
Why do you hesitate to be still?
How does the act of stillness serve as a declaration of our trust in God?
Prayer
Lord, I will surrender my hold on this world. I confess my need to keep things in control. But, the reality is that they are already in Your control. I cling to that Truth and I will remain still in that promise so that I can learn to trust You by taking a rest. I hear You say to me this morning that I need only be still. So, I am. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.