FORCED TO REST

 

Friday, July 17, 2026

 

FORCED TO REST

 

Ps 23

23 The Lord  is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord  for ever.

 

Only one Hebrew word is needed to translate the entire phrase “he maketh me to lie down.” That word is rabats which means “to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, to brood.” One dictionary definition of the word “brood” is “to think or worry persistently or moodily about something.” Ah, yes! I have been known to brood.

 

Poem: I NEEDED THE QUIET

 

I needed the quiet, so He drew me aside,

Into the shadows where we could confide.

Away from the bustle where all the day long

I hurried and worried when active and strong.

 

I needed the quiet though at first I rebelled,

But gently, so gently, my cross He upheld,

And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things.

Though weakened in body, my spirit took wings

To heights never dreamed of when active and gay.

He loved me so greatly He drew me away.

 

I needed the quiet. No prison my bed,

But a beautiful valley of blessings instead –

A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide.

I needed the quiet, so He drew me aside.

 

Alice Hansche Mortenson

 

Dear Lord, I am familiar with chaos and weariness. Help me to know your rest.  AMEN

 

A THREEFOLD CORD!

 

Thursday, July 16, 2026

A THREEFOLD CORD!

 

Eccl 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

 

          The Talmud says: “A man without companions is like the left hand without the right.” In Biblical times, and in certain places in our own world, it is simply dangerous to travel alone. The meaning of verse 12 is “One may be overpowered but two can better defend themselves.”

 

          Dr. Warren Wiersbe explained that “Solomon started with the number one (v. 8), then moved to two (v. 9), and then closed with three (v. 12). This is typical of Hebrew literature (Prov 6:16; Amos 1:3,6,9, etc.). One cord could be broken easily; two cords would require more strength; but three cords woven together could not be easily broken. If two travelers are better than one, then three would fare even better.”

 

          Think of a thin strand which, by itself, could not support much weight without breaking but, if braided with other strands, it becomes a rope capable of lifting huge amounts. The strand may boast of its lifting power, but it is ignoring the fact that its real strength is from others. When our strength is insufficient to lift the heavy burden, God blends or braids Himself with our feeble strand and we are able to lift and to bear things too heavy for us.

 

Dear Lord, though the load becomes heavy and I groan beneath it I shall never snap because you are braided to me. Thank you, Lord! AMEN

 

ARE YOU CONTENT?

 

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

 

ARE YOU CONTENT?

 

Phil 4:11-19

 I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

          Paul wrote to thank the Philippian church for their financial contributions to his ministry. In that letter he explains that he had learned [by experience] how to enjoy plenty and he had also learned [by experience] how to suffer want. He was at peace with both situations.

 

          The Greek word for “content” is autarkes which literally means self-complacent.  Dr. Charles Stanley says that contentment is “Accepting God's sovereign control over all of life's circumstances.” Ah, there it is! God’s control.

 

          Contentment, for the believer, comes when we yield control of our circumstances to a higher, benevolent, force. When we worry, scheme, and grapple with the situation contentment flees but when we rest in the Lord contentment is the product.

 

          Heat and cold, pain and pleasure, or plenty and want are all the same to the one who has relinquished control to Jesus.

 

Dear Lord, Today I yield my control to you. I yield to your wisdom, your power, and your provision. Now I can rest in my circumstances. AMEN