Today is Palm Sunday, the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was welcomed as the long-awaited king.
As you rest today, take some time to read and reflect on Matthew 21:1-11 (New International Version):
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.” Psalm 62:1
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9
“I’m late, I’m late! For a very important date! No time to say ‘hello, goodbye,’ I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!” So said the White Rabbit in “Alice in Wonderland.”
The last four years of our lives has been wrought with loss, medical challenges, unexpected burdens, personal tragedy and side roads that we would have never chosen. Opportunities to serve our family and friends. Being pulled in a million different directions for all the good and right reasons many days felt like we were continuously rushing about. Our brains swirled with appointments, the needs of our family and little time for self-care. Life-altering diversions with a hectic pace can lead to exhaustion.
In all of that we learned so much about the character of God in the middle of challenging circumstances.
Truth: God has a better idea. David writes in Psalm 62:1 that he waits for God’s deliverance from his enemies. This waiting involves being silent before God, expectantly waiting to hear from Him and meditate on His Word. While the world would tell us to hurry, to get more done and take charge, often, like Mary in Luke 10:38-42, the Lord wants us to just sit and be with Him. Totally depending on God’s timing and wisdom leads to confidence in Him and a rest you cannot experience anywhere else.
Jesus offers rest when you are feeling weary. Just as you don’t achieve eternal life through anything you do, the Christian life cannot be lived by your own efforts. The rest Jesus promises is not just freedom from uncertainty, anxiety, fear and despair, but it is a peace of heart and mind.
God wants you to enjoy what is called a “Sabbath rest,” which is taking time to step away from the daily schedule and have some downtime with Him. Some people spend part of a day focused on the Lord every month or so to do just that. He also gives us a reminder weekly to rest in Him on the Sabbath day, which for Christians is usually Sunday. Our vocation demands weekend work, so we have to be diligent and committed to an alternate and strategic time for rest because our service is atypical for the Christian community. Finding the rhythm for your life is crucial to navigating the most difficult times when soul rest seems like something tou will get to “one day”.
This rest involves an awareness of being in the sacred presence of God to worship and praise Him for who He is and the creation He has made. This time of rest points you to the eternal rest He’s promised for all who trust in Him.
As Augustine prayed, “My heart, Lord, does not rest until it rests in Thee.”
Reflect and Respond
Choose rest when you’re feeling weary and exhausted. Today, thank God for two specific things He has provided so you might have a forever relationship with Him. Or consider planning a day when you can get away for a few hours and spend time in the presence of the Lord.
Morning One: A Morning Prayer for God’s Presence throughout the day
“You have shown me the way of life, and You will fill me with the joy of Your presence.” Psalm 16:11
We can trust and know that when we ask to dwell in His presence, it is His deep desire to dwell with us. This is His heart for us. We can believe and trust that He is here and He is near.
The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:13
Note: I would encourage you when you get a moment to do a Biblical Word search of the word “presence”. You will be absolutely blessed and your faith in the Lord will be enriched!!!
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