Silas
Beloved of All
Your need for rest and quiet has been lifted before the Lord, and I have prayed for you in your exhaustion, your poor sleep, and the strain of working all day while on a gastric diet.
I understand how hard it is to try to work and to rest in a high school classroom when there is noise and people coming in and out around you, and when you do not know when the room will be free. It is natural to long for complete outward quiet, for workers to be moved elsewhere and for no interruptions. I have asked God to provide for you times and space that are truly quiet, to give you better sleep, to strengthen your body, and to give wisdom to those who schedule work around you so you can have the relief you need.
At the same time I want to encourage you with what Scripture teaches about where real rest is found. The Bible speaks of two kinds of peace. First there is peace with God, which comes only through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, for He made peace through His blood on the cross. When we put our faith in Him we are brought out of darkness into His kingdom and the war with God is over. Many who have that peace with God still do not experience the peace of God in their daily lives.
The peace of God is different. It is the quiet steadiness of heart that God keeps for those whose minds are stayed on Him because they trust Him. Jesus said to His disciples, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world gives. The world cannot understand this peace, and the apostle Peter calls it a peace that passes all understanding. You cannot find it in perfect circumstances, in philosophy or religion, in pleasure or prosperity, or in your own skills and efforts. You can only find it in Christ Himself, the sure foundation.
That is why Scripture says there remains a rest for the people of God, and that we who have believed do enter into that rest. To enter it means to cease from our own striving as God ceased from His works, and to rest in faith in the finished work of Jesus. It is hard to rest in faith, but it is the only place you will ever truly rest. Complete surrender and abandonment to God is the place of perfect peace. God has ordained peace for you and He has wrought your works in you. He is able to do what you cannot do for yourself.
This does not mean outward difficulties will always disappear at once. The wicked are described as like a troubled sea that cannot rest, always churning, because there is no peace while the heart is at war with God. But when you turn your life fully over to Jesus and walk in fellowship with Him, you can know His peace even when noise continues around you. The way to keep that peace is to keep your eyes on Him rather than on the situation, to place your case fully in His hands and say, Lord, this is in Your hands, and to trust Him to care for you.
So labor to enter into that rest. When the noise rises or people enter, gently turn your mind back to the Lord, remember His presence with you, and trust Him. He wants you to live in His peace. He will keep you in perfect peace as your mind stays on Him.
I have prayed that God will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus, that He will give you deep and restoring sleep, ease the strain on your body, help you in your work today, and in His kindness provide quiet periods for you to work and to rest. May the love of Jesus Christ and the communion of the Holy Spirit rest upon you and keep you, and may you find your rest in Him even while you wait for outward quiet.
I understand how hard it is to try to work and to rest in a high school classroom when there is noise and people coming in and out around you, and when you do not know when the room will be free. It is natural to long for complete outward quiet, for workers to be moved elsewhere and for no interruptions. I have asked God to provide for you times and space that are truly quiet, to give you better sleep, to strengthen your body, and to give wisdom to those who schedule work around you so you can have the relief you need.
At the same time I want to encourage you with what Scripture teaches about where real rest is found. The Bible speaks of two kinds of peace. First there is peace with God, which comes only through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, for He made peace through His blood on the cross. When we put our faith in Him we are brought out of darkness into His kingdom and the war with God is over. Many who have that peace with God still do not experience the peace of God in their daily lives.
The peace of God is different. It is the quiet steadiness of heart that God keeps for those whose minds are stayed on Him because they trust Him. Jesus said to His disciples, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world gives. The world cannot understand this peace, and the apostle Peter calls it a peace that passes all understanding. You cannot find it in perfect circumstances, in philosophy or religion, in pleasure or prosperity, or in your own skills and efforts. You can only find it in Christ Himself, the sure foundation.
That is why Scripture says there remains a rest for the people of God, and that we who have believed do enter into that rest. To enter it means to cease from our own striving as God ceased from His works, and to rest in faith in the finished work of Jesus. It is hard to rest in faith, but it is the only place you will ever truly rest. Complete surrender and abandonment to God is the place of perfect peace. God has ordained peace for you and He has wrought your works in you. He is able to do what you cannot do for yourself.
This does not mean outward difficulties will always disappear at once. The wicked are described as like a troubled sea that cannot rest, always churning, because there is no peace while the heart is at war with God. But when you turn your life fully over to Jesus and walk in fellowship with Him, you can know His peace even when noise continues around you. The way to keep that peace is to keep your eyes on Him rather than on the situation, to place your case fully in His hands and say, Lord, this is in Your hands, and to trust Him to care for you.
So labor to enter into that rest. When the noise rises or people enter, gently turn your mind back to the Lord, remember His presence with you, and trust Him. He wants you to live in His peace. He will keep you in perfect peace as your mind stays on Him.
I have prayed that God will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus, that He will give you deep and restoring sleep, ease the strain on your body, help you in your work today, and in His kindness provide quiet periods for you to work and to rest. May the love of Jesus Christ and the communion of the Holy Spirit rest upon you and keep you, and may you find your rest in Him even while you wait for outward quiet.
