“And he said, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”

Exodus 33:14 KJV

We live in a hectic, fast-paced world.  And that pace seems to increase during the Christmas Season.  Mothers especially struggle to find time to get everything done during the  Holiday Season.  It can be overwhelming. 

 That is why it is important that we realize that God is “no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).  Which essentially means that God has no favorites. That means many things, but in this case, it does mean that God gives each person the same amount of time each day.  Everyone gets 24 hours a day.  No matter what part of the country or the world we live in each person gets the same amount of time each day.   Our tendency, especially as Americans,  is to  “fill up” every moment of every day.  Thus our “stress level” is amplified which affects every aspect of our lives.  The remedy for that is learning to enjoy God’s rest.

The “rest of God” begins with being conscious of God’s Presence in our lives as followers of Christ.  His Presence is with us constantly whether we “feel it” or not. 
The Hebrew word for “rest” in this passage is the word: “nuwach” which means “to settle down, give comfort to, to rest and to be quiet.” (Strongs #5117).  The Presence of God comforts us, reassures us, quiets us in the midst of a noisy, busy, and chaotic world, and fills us with His Peace on the inside.

The “rest of God” is a promise to each of God’s children.  Just as it was given to Moses and Israel in the wilderness, it is given to us in the wilderness of our lives today.  The “rest of God” is the revelation of the Person of  Christ,  who indwells us.  It is becoming conscious that He is with us each day and in each moment of our lives. The consciousness of His indwelling Presence gives us rest.  He encourages us.  He strengthens us.  He guides us and fills us with joy.  If we simply take some time to “be still” (Psalm 46:10) we will become conscious of Him.  And the consciousness of His Presence gives us rest, even in the midst of busy and tumultuous times. 

Rev. James W. Black