Friends, When Moses needed something extra from the Lord, the Lord promised him, “My presence shall go before you, and I will give you rest”. He didn’t promise Moses that there wouldn’t be more problems or hardships. Plenty of those awaited Moses. Yet the Lord promised that His presence would be with Moses and He would give Moses rest. There is rest for the heart, mind, and soul of the one who enjoys God’s presence. It is not a rest that comes from solving problems. It is with us in our problems. It is not a rest that comes from being delivered. It is a rest that affords us peace and assurance prior to our being delivered. It is not a rest that arises from an abundance of wealth or material goods. It is a rest arising from the wealth of God’s loving presence as He pours His love into our hearts.

The Lord said He would “give” Moses this rest. This restfulness is a gift. It is not dependent on a certain set circumstance. It is only dependent upon the One who gives it and our willingness to receive it. The Bible says “there remains a rest for the people of God”. We enter into the Lord’s rest much like Moses did. We welcome the Lord’s presence into every part of our life and being, holding nothing back from Him and personally inviting Jesus to be Lord of our personal life and Lord of all.

Pastor Greg Brownell

Dayton United Brethren Church