PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 6:30-34
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)
Life is busy, there are people to see, things to do, issues to address, problems to solve.
Like the apostles we often have a lot to tell Jesus about what we have done and taught.
In the midst of this busyness, I hear Jesus saying these words to me.
How often do you find a quiet place to get some rest with Jesus?
We cannot always do this, but do we even try to do it sometime?
When is the last time that you stepped away alone with Jesus just to be still with him.
Not do bible study, not talk to him about all your needs or problems – just be.
Many of us live like sheep without a shepherd, lost and scattered and scared.
Spending quiet time with Jesus is good for the soul, keeping us strong inside.
This is still good advice: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
We know the words, we like the words… but do we actually do what they suggest?
God designed the rhythm of work and rest for our benefit, to keep us healthy.
How we do this will be different for each person… but we all need to do it somehow.
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)
PRAYER
Lord, your invitation still stands. Thank you for these times when I can just BE with you, and know that ‘it is well with my soul’.
Sure Jesus got tired – but he never got tired of loving and serving people: “he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” O Lord, I know I can get irritable – and I don’t like it so much when a call comes late at night or at an inopportune time – but even though I would like to resist – I am overcome but the example of Jesus – so I go and I try to be a blessing – and it is Jesus who goes with me and it He that enables me – even when I’m not feeling up to it. I don’t think humanly speaking Jesus was up to it all the time either – but He took time out – so I’m thankful for rest areas. Coincidentally or not I writing this at a rest area off the 401 – thankful to be able to take my eyes of the road and refresh myself. This is part of that!!
Working seven days makes one weak.
As Jesus taught His disciples to come to a quiet place to get some rest, we too today, need to do the same. Spend time with the Lord in a quiet place. All too often we are doing His work in His kingdom staying busy and yet not seeing Him in our daily lives. I need to focus not only on my serving but also on my seeing Him and spending quiet time in His presence. It is only He Who can give the rest and peace that I need so I can serve Him. He is the wind beneath my wings to make me soar. There is a time to work in His presence and also a time to be re-energized in His presence. Spend time alone with my Saviour.
1 I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
2 I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh. [Refrain]
3 I need Thee ev’ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain. [Refrain]
4 I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill. [Refrain]