The sea calls to you, and the mountains beckon, but deeper still is that cry of the soul for rest. You say you have not journeyed to the coast for seven years, nor had respite for two, and you miss the salt air and distant horizons. I do not dismiss this longing. The body wearies, and change of scene can often refresh the jaded spirit. Yet let us first consider where true rest abides. It is a present rest, rest now; not rest after death, not rest after a time of growth and advancement, but rest given when we come to Jesus, given there and then. And it is perfect rest too. Have you that? Before we plead for earthly travel, let us be certain we possess the rest that remains for the people of God.
There is a rest of the mind, a fixedness of belief. This is the kind of rest the Lord Jesus Christ gives, rest of the deepest, truest kind, rest which the world cannot give and which the world cannot possibly take away. Oh, if all my rest is what He gives me, shall I not love Him? The soul first learns to rest in the finished work of Calvary, and then it discovers a second rest, the rest of a learner: “Learn of me, and ye shall find rest.” It is rest on the wing, rest in motion, rest in service, not rest with the yoke off, but with the yoke on. When we take His yoke voluntarily, the labor itself becomes a strange repose, like birds that sleep upon the wing. Yes, we may pant for the seaside, but the believer’s truest refreshment is found in doing the will of Him who made both sea and mountain.
But you have named your request plainly: pray for travel, for a holiday near the water or among the peaks. I will join you in this petition, yet with an eye to the one who holds the channels of provision. The spouse in the Song spoke of mountains dividing her from her beloved, difficulties great as crags. If the mountains can be climbed, we shall have to climb them, but if they are quite impassable, then the soul cries out, “Oh, that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down.” It is easy for Christ to come over the mountains for our relief. It is easy for the gazelle to cross the mountains, it is made for that end. So we may ask Him to bound over the hills of hindrance and grant you this blessing. He who knows your frame and marks the weariness of your mind can open a door no man shuts.
Let us therefore pray for inner rest first, and let that deep calm overflow into the request for outward change. Ambition spoils rest. The constant greed of avarice puts rest out of the question. But a childlike trust sweetly blends contentment with holy desire. You may cry, “Return unto thy rest, O my soul,” and at the same moment look to the Lord who abundantly blesses provision. I will ask the great Shepherd to lead you beside still waters, whether those of the actual sea or those of the Spirit’s peace. If He grants travel, go and mark the glory of His creation; if He withholds it, find a greater holiday in being forever with Him in spirit, for to be with Him is our eternal rest. Trust, and you shall rest, rest in His provision, rest in His timing, and rest in the perfect peace He alone can give.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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