Apr 19, 2026 – Rest
Streams – Exodus 14;13 – Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. Cowman and Charles Spurgeon build on this verse offering comfort and direction, “This verse contains God’s command to me as a believer for those times when I am confronted with dire circumstances and extraordinary difficulties. [What I’ve learned so far in my faith journey is that this verse also applies to everyday concerns that distract us from living and serving our fellow man and God. He cares about the details of our lives, big and small.] What am I to do when I cannot retreat or go forward and my way is blocked to the right and to the left?” I have found that in these times, if I am tired (or hungry) while striving for solutions and relief (like Elijah in 1 Kings 19:5-8), I am wasting time and energy. When I feel that level of frustration rising while trying to work something out, I try to realize sooner than later that I need to put it aside for a while and look at it with fresh eyes and energy after resting.
Our two Streams faith leaders continue with these directions: “The Master’s word to me is, ‘Stand firm.’ And the best thing I can do at these times is to listen only to my Master’s word…. Despair will come, whispering, ‘Give up….’ But even in the worst of times, God would have me be cheerful and courageous, rejoicing in His love and faithfulness. Cowardice will come and say, ‘You must retreat to the world’s ways of acting…. The Lord’s divine decree has commanded me to go from ‘strength to strength’ (Ps. 84:7)…. And if for a season He calls me to ‘stand firm,’ I will acknowledge it as a time to renew my strength for greater strides in the future…. Impatience will come… Arrogance will come…. I must maintain the posture of one who stands, ready for action, expecting further orders, and cheerfully and patiently awaiting the Director’s voice…. In times of uncertainty – wait. If you have any doubt – wait, never forcing yourself into action. If you sense any restraint in your spirit, do not go against it – wait until the way is clear.”
Max – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you. Max reminds us that, “The good life begins not when circumstances change but when our attitude toward them does. As you pray, sprinkled among your phrases ‘Help me…,’ ‘Please give me…,’ and ”Won’t you show me…’ should be two wonderful words: ‘Thank you.’ Gratitude is a mindful awareness of the benefits of life. Studies have linked the emotion with a variety of positive effects…. more empathetic and forgiving…. positive outlook…. less envy, materialism, and self-centeredness…. improves self-esteem and enhances relationships, quality of sleep, and longevity.” Kennon M. Sheldon, Todd B. Kashdan, and Michael F. Steger, eds., Designing Positive Psychology: Taking Stock and Moving Forward (New York: Oxford University Press, 2011), 249-54. See also Amit Amin, “The 31 Benefits of Gratitude You Didn’t Know About: How Gratitude Can Change Your Life,” Happier Human, http://happierhuman.com/benefits-of-gratitude/.
Days – Still on the theme for the day… Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him (Ps. xxxvii. 7). Simpson reminds us that, “God wants rested workers…. The two deepest secrets of rest are, first, to be in harmony with the will of God, and, secondly, to trust…. There is a good deal in learning to ‘stay.’ Sometimes we forget that it literally means to stop. It is a great blessing even to stop all thought, and this is frequently the only way to answer the devil’s whirlwind of irritating questions and thoughts, to be absolutely still and refuse to even think, and meet his evil voice with a simple and everlasting ‘No!’ If we will be still God will give us peace.”
JC – It is tempting to move on ahead of God’s timing when we want to see things happen and don’t understand the waiting. Young reminds us in God’s voice, “I love you regardless of how well you are performing…. Your performance and My Love are totally different issues, which you need to sort out…. Bring your performance anxiety to Me, and receive in its place My unfailing Love. Try to stay conscious of My loving Presence with you in all that you do, and I will direct your steps.” See Jeremiah 31:3, Isaiah 61:10, Psalm31:16, and Psalm 107:8.
Prevail #109 – Nehemiah 6:3 – I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you? Larson shows us, through Nehemiah, how waiting in the status quo is not always what God is asking from us which is why staying in a close relationship with Him is so vital: “Nehemiah loved and feared God and felt prompted by Him to leave the corporate world to take on a project that seemed impossible from any point of view. Yet he knew God was in it, so he took the great risk and returned to Jerusalem to begin the process of rebuilding…. [Jesus] met us in our mess and brokenness, and He made us knew again…. But if we never grasp the value of our lives, we’ll never comprehend the importance of our work. And if we never comprehend the importance of our work, we’ll not discern the enemy’s attempts to distract us from that work. May you walk so intimately with God that you’re acutely aware of your value and divinely aware of your calling.”
Power – Psalm 98:1 – O sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have wrought salvation for Him. Joyce closes us out with an important reminder, “Your thought life is directly related to your attitude. In other words, what you think secretly in your heart is expressed in your words, facial expressions, and attitude…. Take an attitude inventory. If your attitude was a song, would it be, ‘Make the World Go Away’… or ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning’?” In essence, when we take time to sing to the Lord, whether we are happy or sad, we are resting in His presence.
