Week 36: Resting

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

*Sunday: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Psalm 46:1-11; Proverbs 22:15
*Monday: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 22:16
*Tuesday: Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18; 2 Corinthians 7:8-16; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 22:17-19
*Wednesday: Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; Psalm 49:1-20; Proverbs 22:20-21
*Thursday: Song of Solomon 1:1-4:16; 2 Corinthians 8:16-24; Psalm 50:1-23; Proverbs 22:22-23
*Friday: Song of Solomon 5:1-8:14; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 22:24-25
*Saturday: Isaiah 1:1-2:22; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 22:26-27


Scripture: Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”

Observation:
Today I receive God's invitation to rest...to be still and know (experientially) that he is God. The other day, someone mentioned how we are saved by grace...and immediately I was struck by the irony of how some Christians, including myself, sometimes embrace the belief that while we are saved by grace, everything after that is work! I was surprised by this thought because it made me realize that I am carrying more guilt about my life in Christ than I should be.

We talk about the free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, but perhaps we don't always experience the freeness, the rest, of grace. We unwittingly embrace the notion, “Salvation is free, but it cost God everything...therefore we owe God everything!” Sometimes I feel guilty because I feel I am not doing enough. I fear that I am not being a faithful steward. I secretly wonder whether I have chosen earthly comfort over a life of abject sacrificial service.

I agree with the writer of Ecclesiastes that “life under the sun” is meaningless...and I agree that life in relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ the Son through the Holy Spirit is the only way to truly live.

Application:
So, this morning, after a safe and delightful return home from a long trip, I receive God's "rest." It seems that striving is the natural thing...even in my service to Jesus Christ. But God calls me back to that place of quiet rest. Even worship and God-centered activity, if they become things of my own making, can get in the way of knowing God. So, today, afresh, I rest and know.

Prayer:
This is so much easier said than done, O my God! So please meet me here in my rest, lest I start striving all over again! I pray in Jesus' name. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,

Chuck