A couple of weeks ago I posted Part One of “Wait On The Lord-Right Where You Are”. I’ve been pondering it and thinking about what I might share in Part Two. The crux of Part One is “resting in the Lord” and that when we do he refreshes and strengthens us to face the difficult times in life.
Okay, so we’ve been given a key and its name is “Rest.” Now the question is: “how do we use it?” How do we rest in the Lord? The reality is that resting doesn’t just happen. We actually have to work at it and practice how to rest in the Lord. Hebrews 4:11 says, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest.” So we clearly see it doesn’t just “happen.” We have to labour to enter into it.
I would like to share seven specific tips with you on how to achieve that. In Part One we saw David, in 1 Samuel 30, encouraging himself in the Lord. In that particular passage it doesn’t tell us “how” to encourage or refresh ourselves, but other scriptures are quite clear about it. For example:
Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
Psalm 119:28 says, “My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.”
So first (1st) we see that we are strengthened by God’s word.
Ephesians 5:19 says, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
Second, (2nd) we see that we can be refreshed by God’s people.
And again in Acts 3:19 “Repent so your sins are blotted out and times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord”.
Third, (3rd) we find that we are refreshed and can rest by the presence of the Lord.
Here’s the thing: we must refresh ourselves right where we are! David did. Paul did. Moses did. Jesus did! Our tendency is to flee to some other place/time and start over.
Fourth: (4th) Think upon his name. (Malachi 3:16)
Philippians 4:8 “whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things”.
Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 “take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Five (5th) Stand Still and Hold Your Peace
Exodus 14:13-14 “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
God wanted to provide an opportunity for his people to put their lives in his hands – to stand still and trust him to give them direction. We wants us to rest.
Sixth (6th) Set Yourself and Stand Still 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 “And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.”
Habakkuk 2:1 “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me.”
Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Seventh (7th) Sing and Praise
Psalm 22:3 “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”
Psalm 147:1 “Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.”
Psalm 150:4 “Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.”
It is my hope that as you practice these tips and meditate on these scriptures that you will find refreshment, encouragement, and renewed strength in your times of trouble.
May the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is able to accomplish that which we cannot, be upon you and bring you unto Glory.
