Come Aside and Rest

Last week was a week full of unexpected issues, seemingly one after another. By mid-week, I began to feel pushed and pulled in many different directions. It was then that I heard the Lord quietly speak to my heart and say, “come aside.”

I knew those words were found in scripture; however, I felt I had to continue working on the problems that were demanding my attention. A few hours later, after hearing those same words a few more times I decided to stop and find the scripture that talked about this. It is found in Mark 6:31. Jesus said, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”

I love what I do. Ministering to people is what our staff and I do on a daily basis. We love serving God in this manner. However, there are certainly times I feel the need to come aside apart from it all and rest awhile. That being said, most times, it simply doesn’t feel like there is a good time to set work aside and rest.

There is so much to do that I could work twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and still have things to accomplish. There are times, just like last week, in which God has to remind me to come aside and rest awhile.

Daily prayer is important. Studying the Word of God regularly is necessary to walk in victory. Spending time in praise and worship is vital. However, we must remember, the times of rest are just as important. This is something many people refuse to do.

The word rest means: cease from movement and labor, give rest and refresh, to keep quiet and calm with patient expectation and to recover and collect strength.

When we have given out all we have we MUST take time and recover and collect strength. If we fail to do that, we will not be able to remain quiet and calm. Nor will we have patient expectations.

I have found in my walk with God that it is very hard to have the God-kind of faith when you are exhausted. However, when you are refreshed in the Lord it is easier to remain continually in expectant faith.

A time to recover strength, where does our strength come from?

Psalm 27:1 is one of my favorite scriptures; it says, “The Lord is the strength of my life.”

There are many scriptures just like this one where we find, the Lord is our Strength, such as Exodus 15:2, 2 Samuel 22:3, and Psalm 18:2. I recommend you meditate on these scriptures at times when you are experiencing weariness.

The word strength means a place of safety, a refuge, and a stronghold. It comes from a root word, azaz, which means to be strong, to prevail and to make firm and strengthen. Wow. I love those definitions. In His rest you will find strength to prevail. Strength to be firm in your faith. Where do you find this strength? In His presence. By coming aside with Him to rest.

His rest and your victory are linked together.

Hebrews 4:11 tells us to enter into His rest so that we won’t fall into unbelief.

If we allow ourselves to remain outside of His rest, it is then that we are in danger of falling into unbelief. If we fall into unbelief, we are no longer in pure faith. If we are no longer in faith, we may not see our promises fulfilled. Can you now see how weariness is a tool of the enemy? I certainly can.

If you find yourself weary today, don’t shake it off and think you will catch up on rest later. No, instead come aside with God and refill your soul and mind with His strength. When you do that, you will be in a place of safety and refuge. You will become strong, strengthened in God, and equipped with the power to remain calm, with patient expectation. You will prevail!

My friend, come aside today and rest awhile. That is my prayer for you.