Genesis 15:12-15 As the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a terrifying darkness came down over him. Then the LORD said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth. (As for you, you will die in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.)
The LORD spoke this to Abram before the promise of a son had come to pass.
One day as I was driving home from work, I had an amazing God experience. I had been working swings, second shift to non-military, as a home care provider for 2 1/2 years. This was a hard shift for me as I am a morning person. It came about that my person needed care from morning until bedtime. I got day shift!
As I was driving home, something released in me as I was thanking the Father for day shift. He said to me, “Thank you for being faithful.” Then I heard another person talking to me in my heart and commenced talking with them as well! I haven’t met this person yet, but I know who they are. There will be more on that in future posts.
I believe this happened because I was totally rested, I wasn’t upset about anything, just sincerely thankful.
Abram was sleeping when the Lord got his attention and shared things to come with him. Resting.
Samuel was lying down resting when he heard a voice call to him a couple of times and Samuel thought it was Eli. The third time, Eli told him if He called again to say, “Speak, LORD, for Thy servant is listening.” The Lord then told Samuel of the things He was about to do. (1 Samuel 3)
Joseph was sleeping when Gabriel came to him and told him that it was okay to take Mary as his wife because she had conceived by the Holy Spirit. Prior to that, Joseph was going to put her away secretly because he didn’t want to disgrace her. (Matthew 1:18-25)
Both the magi and Joseph were warned while they were sleeping about Herod’s plan to search for the Child to destroy Him. (Matthew 2:12-13)
Resting doesn’t always mean being asleep. It’s rest from occupation, oppression, or torment.
When we’re thinking on things He said He’s taking care of, and trying to make His word to us happen, we get ourselves wrapped. My husband calls it “being wrapped up tighter than a rubber band airplane”.
I love the synonyms for rest: recovery of breath, relief, and peace.
Other meanings of rest are : have confidence , trust, and yield with the synonym: to be fully assured.
When the father gives you a word or shows you something, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to happen right now. His timing is always perfect, rest in that fact.
Ron was in the state of Washington visiting friends when a guy pulled up next to him and said, “Come on.” Ron went and the guy took him to some Chinese women who were waiting for him, none spoke English, to come and pray with them. When they were done, the guy brought him back to where he was.
I remember being on my knees one day, worshipping, when a vision came to me of an Asian man in a freezing cold, water filled prison cell that was the size of a tiny closet. He was praying and I began to pray for him and all of a sudden, a bright light enveloped him and I knew in my knower that he wasn’t cold or hungry any more.
Zacharias was doing his priestly duties when an angel of the Lord told him that he and Elizabeth would have a baby. (Luke 1:8-19)
Mary was at home when the angel of the Lord came to her and told her she would conceive . She asked how that was possible, and when the angel told her she would conceive by the Holy Spirit, she said, “Okay, as you have said.”
If your mind is wrapped up, how can your heart be receptive? How can it hear the still, small voice?
Hebrews 4:10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.
Joshua 1:13b The LORD your God gives you rest, and will give you this land.
Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.”
So I say:
Psalm 116:7 Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
Trust Him when He says He will do what He says and leave it to Him.