And So You Lead Your People

"As a beast goes down into the valley, and the Spirit of the Lord causes him to rest, so You lead Your people, to make Yourself a glorious Name."
(Isaiah 63:14)

"...so You lead Your people."

I love that.

This journey is tough sometimes, isn't it? With its glorious mountain peaks and its pristine streams of refreshment comes those rocky ledges that threaten to crumble under our feet! Those times of weariness and fatigue are no fun.

But those times of God-given rest are AWESOME!

The Hebrew word for rest is nu'ach (noo-ahch) meaning to settle down, to be soothed or quieted, to be secure, to be still, to dwell peacefully.

Today's scripture tells us that as the Lord leads us, He sometimes causes us to rest.

Think of our Shepherd, leading us, guiding us. Our journey has taken us up the steep mountainside. We crested the ridge, breathed in the majestic sunrise of His faithful Presence and looked down upon the long road in front of us.

You know? There is great wisdom in the Lord lighting our path one step at a time, isn't there? Sometimes that long road ahead can be overwhelming. And that is when He causes us to rest - to settle down, to be soothed or quieted, to be secure. He leads us to that green pasture beside the still waters, sheltered by the shade of the mountains that call out His majesty. Ahhh...rest.

I am dealing with the devastation of fibromyalgia. Most of the time I go along pretty smoothly, but then out of nowhere comes a flare-up and it knocks me to my knees (in more ways than one). About two days ago it hit me like a stone thrown from the clutches of my enemy aimed at taking me down. I slept a lot today and as I rested I kept asking the Lord to help me with Morning Glory. I thought I was going to write about when Jesus called the little children to Him - oh, how I wanted to be a little child again and be comforted by my Jesus. Isn't it interesting that the Lord led me to Isaiah 63:14 instead?

Perhaps the concept is the same. I desperately needed comfort and rest. I needed assurance and soothing. My Shepherd led me to a place of rest.

His Holy mountain surrounds me.
His gentle whispers comfort me.
And His joy gives me strength.

Do you need rest today? Has your journey been arduous lately? Do you feel like the rocky ledge beneath you is beginning to crumble?

Call out His Name! Jesus! Take His hand and allow Him to lead you to a place of rest.

And if you are too tired to walk there yourself, He will carry you.

Father, I love You. My spirit is overwhelmed by Your love. Thank You for carrying me to a place of rest. I ask You to carry my friends as well. Many are laden with burdens too heavy to bear. Many have broken hearts, shattered dreams. Many have forgotten the touch of Your love. Lead them to a place of rest in Your Presence. Strengthen them with the joy of their salvation. Stir up hope within the depths of their spirits. Thank You for Your faithfulness, Lord. We give You praise.