The Discipline of Rest

Still before God is our favorite place to be. But that discipline is one of the hardest things for this flesh body to submit to. So Isaiah 63:14 caught my eye,

“Like livestock that go down into the valley,

the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest.

So you led your people,

to make for yourself a glorious name.”

Imagine that. The Spirit of the Lord leading us to rest. Hungry, thirsty, tired sheep give the impression that their shepherd is not so great. Nourished, watered, rested sheep glorify a mighty good shepherd. Our Great Shepherd is Jesus Christ who shepherds like no one else can.

Isaiah 30:15a says,

“For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel,

‘In returning and rest you shall be saved;

in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’”

What sobers me is the rest of that verse,

“But you were unwilling…”

And as the passage continues, they become prey for the enemy.

I heard recently that while we need to pay attention to physical rest, of course, spiritual rest is being aligned with God’s will. We see it in Matthew 11:29,

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.”

When He is leading us into the valley to rest, and we run up the hill to get one more thing done, we are in disobedience and danger. (As always, I am preaching to my own heart.) When we prioritize time with Him and obey His leading, even in the busiest of seasons our quiet and rested hearts will magnify the wonder of our Shepherd.

“The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.”

Psalm 23:1