rest.

"our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee, O Lord"
- st. augustine

yesterday's message at church was about rest- resting in Jesus for eternal security, as well as practically walking in his rest day to day... in the huge things and the little things that come up. sounds simple, but it shook my heart in a profound way and changed my perspective. britt talked about how the israelites had hardened their hearts by saying no to God (in exodus) so many times before they got to the promise land that when they got there, at the pivotal moment where they needed to trust him to enter in to the land, they said no. they said it would have been better had they died in slavery in egypt! we are learning at church (through the word and by the Spirit) that we need to cultivate hearts that say YES to God, because he is the epitome of goodness. his plan for our lives is better than our own plans, because his wisdom is infinite, and we are finite. we read how the israelites (who's character is the same as ours today, were all human and stubborn) believed, but belief without trust does not produce faith. and this transcends to believers today; you can believe in Jesus, but do you trust him with your heart? with your life? with all that you are? i'm constantly reminded that God's past record of faithfulness is my future assurance. he's been faithful to his children since the beginning of time and he's not going to blow his reputation on me. so when things don't make sense, when i can't see what lay ahead, when trials and storms come, when everything screams 'how are you going to save yourself?! how are you going to get through this?!' i will follow mary's example (luke 10:28-41) and sit at the feet of Jesus, resting there, content on just hearing his voice, and trusting him. i know some of you reading this may not agree with my views, but i have seen heaping mounds of evidence in my life and in the lives of many others about how the character of God is just how he says it is in his word. he is reliable. he is faithful, he is patient, he is compassionate, ABOUNDING in grace and mercy. he is holy, he is JUST, he is righteous, and he loves ME (and you, lol!). and that is enough for me to rest in...... enough rest in fact to ease my weary heart for the rest of my days. in Jesus there is an unending storehouse of peace (philipians 4:7) for those who believe and trust in his name. "so as for me, i will trust in the LORD." (psalm 55:23)

<33annajoy