June 7, 2026 – Rest
ChurchoftheHighlands.com – Pastor Mark’s message today focused on rest. He wasn’t talking about sleep, or taking a nap, or saving up to rest on vacation. The primary rest we should seek is in time with God. See Matthew 11:28-29. He “refreshes my soul” (Psalm 23:2 NIV). But also important is to rest as we go about our lives, which sometimes I do better than others. This sermon comforted me as I realized that each time God has brought work of any kind into my life (my early career, raising children, volunteering, part time jobs, caring for my parents and others…) I’ve done it as fully as I knew at the time, but I’ve also not been shy about taking time for myself (and for God) along the way. Sometimes I heard the whisper to slow down and sometimes God caused me to rest when I wasn’t heeding His guidance.
JC – “I am all around you, like a cocoon of Light. My Presence with you is a promise, independent of your awareness of Me.” Isn’t that statement so comforting? We don’t have to ask for His company or make an appointment with Him. He’s just always there. Young points out though that, “Many things can block this awareness, but the major culprit is worry…. worry is a form of unbelief…. Who is in charge of your life? If it is you, then you have good reason to worry. But if it is I, then worry is both unnecessary and counterproductive…. relinquish the situation to Me…. I will either take care of the problem Myself or show you how to handle it. In this world you will have problems, but you need not lose sight of Me.” See John 16:33.
Days – “When ye go; ye shall not go empty” (Ex. iii. 21). Simpson knows the importance of resting in God’s provision, “When we are really emptied He would have us filled with Himself and the Holy Spirit…. We may be ready to admit our own disability, but are we as ready to admit His ability? …Are you sure that He is able to provide every want in you, or do you feel that you must supply it yourself? …Our Savior, at Cana, ordered the water-pots to be filled to the brim. Then the water was made into wine, but not until the vessels were full. God wants His children to have always a full heart.” We must fill our hearts with Him.
Power – Joshua 3:2-3 – “After three days the officers went through the camp, commanding the people: When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being borne by the Levitical priests, set out from where you are and follow it.” Joyce explains, “The ark referred to in the Scripture above contained the Ten Commandments, which represented the will of God, and a piece of manna – the manna with which God fed the Israelites in the wilderness. The manna represents God’s presence and His miraculous provision…. On your journey through life, in every situation you can follow the ark (figuratively speaking) just as the Israelites followed the ark (literally)…. follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, Who lives within all believers…. the way to peace and joy.” And rest….
Streams – Job 35:10 – “Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night?” Cowman asks, “Do you ever experience sleepless nights, tossing and turning and simply waiting for the first glimmer of dawn? When that happens, why not ask the Holy Spirit to fix your thoughts on God, your Maker, and believe He can fill those lonely, dreary nights with song?” She draws on selected sources offering something that many of us know, but sometimes forget, when trying to fall asleep. Pray. It’s not that we fall asleep simply because we lose focus or we are bored with the prayer. I believe that we get to a peaceful, secure place trusting our Father to settle us into the rest we need.
Utmost – John 14:13 – “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do.” Chambers points out that, “There is no snare, or any danger of infatuation or pride in intercession, it is a hidden ministry that brings forth fruit whereby the Father is glorified. Am I allowing my spiritual life to be frittered away, or am I bringing it all to one centre – the Atonement of my Lord? Is Jesus Christ more and more dominating every interest in my life? …It is not the thing we spend the most time on that moulds us most; the greatest element is the thing that exerts the most power…. The disciple who abides in Jesus is the will of God, and his apparently free choises are God’s fore-ordained decrees. Mysterious? Logically contradictory and absurd? Yes, but a glorious truth to a saint.”
JA – “IF YOU HAVE ME – your Savior, Lord, and Friend – you have everything that really matters…. So learn to be content with having Me, beloved, regardless of what you may lack in this world…. Stay in joyful communication with me…. I will transform you more and more into the masterpiece I designed you to be.”
JL – “Joyous Lord Jesus, In You I have found Joy inexpressible and full of Glory! …I find it only in my relationship with You. Lord, help me to trust You wholeheartedly and walk confidently with You along my life-path…. In Your triumphant Name, Amen.” See 1 Peter 1:8, Matthew 6:34, and 1 Corinthians 13:12.
