And Then He Rested

"Look at Him! GOD, the Master, comes in power, ready to go into action. He is going to pay back His enemies and reward those who have loved Him. Like a shepherd, He will care for His flock, gathering the lambs in His arms, hugging them as He carries them, leading the nursing ewes to good pasture. Who has scooped up the ocean in His two hands, or measured the sky between His thumb and little finger? Who has put all the earth's dirt in one of His baskets, weighed each mountain and hill? Who could ever have told GOD what to do or taught Him His business? What expert would He have gone to for advice, what school would he attend to learn justice? What god do you suppose might have taught Him what He knows, showed Him how things work?

"So who even comes close to being like God? To whom or what can you compare Him? Some no-god idol? Ridiculous! It's made in a workshop, cast in bronze, given a thin veneer of gold, and draped with silver filigree. Or perhaps someone will select a fine wood - olive wood, say - that won't rot, then hire a woodcarver to make a no-god, giving special care to its base so it won't tip over!

"Have you not been paying attention? Have you not been listening? Haven't you heard these stories all our life? Don't you understand the foundation of all things? GOD sits high above the round ball of earth. The people look like mere ants. He stretches out the skies like a canvas - yes, like a tent canvas to live under. He ignores what all the princes say and do. The rulers of the earth count for nothing. Princes and rulers don't amount to much.

"Like seeds barely rooted, just sprouted, they shrivel when God blows on them. Like flecks of chaff, they're gone with the wind.

"'So - who is like Me? Who holds a candle to Me?' says the Holy One. Look at the night skies: Who do you think made all this? Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off, calls each by name - so magnificent! so powerful! - and never overlooks a single one?

"Why would you ever complain O Jacob, or whine, Israel, saying, 'GOD has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me'? Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? GOD doesn't come and go. GOD lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch His breath. And He knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind." ~ Isaiah 40:10-14, 18-31, The Message

The man sat on the knoll, leaned back on his elbows and lifted his eyes towards the heavens. Burdened by a restless spirit, the man had come to the mountaintop to sit alone with God. A stiff breeze rustled his jacket. Trees swayed against the indigo sky.

"Rest in Me," the Spirit of the Lord spoke to his heart. "Rest in Me. I've got it all under control."

At that moment two hawks came from behind the treeline. Their wings stretched out like carefree children playing airplane on a sunny day. The hawks moved smoothly on the wings of the wind. They didn't flap and flutter and try to take charge of the wind. The powerful birds soared with no effort at all.

The man watched the birds intently.

If God can put the stars in place and call them each by name, if He can teach these hawks to rise above the turbulent winds and soar with abundant grace, then I know He can order my steps, thought the man.

And then he rested.



Father, So many times we just need for you to hold us. Teach us to run to You. Teach us to sit in Your Presence. Teach us to rest in You and You alone. Thank You, Lord. We love you so much and we praise You.
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