And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
—Mark 6:31 (KJV)
"Come away." We do need to withdraw — not once in a while, but often, even daily! Incredibly, Jesus invites his disciples (Today, that's us!) to withdraw with him to a quiet place and rest with him. The little childhood prayer is appropriate: "Now I lay me down to sleep and pray the LORD my soul to keep." Only this isn't just about a good night's sleep; it's about taking time in the middle of our wild and crazy days to join him for a few moments of grace, rest, and refreshment. Let's make these daily stops in God's Word more than quick e-mail viewing; let's let it be a time to withdraw with the Savior and rest. Jesus still beckons us: "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."
Holy and gentle Shepherd, the one who stills my soul, thank you for your constant care and loving faithfulness. Please touch my heart as I try to be more disciplined in my rest times with you. Please keep my soul, but even more, please restore my soul as I withdraw to spend time with your Son and my Savior Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—Mark 6:31 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"Come away." We do need to withdraw — not once in a while, but often, even daily! Incredibly, Jesus invites his disciples (Today, that's us!) to withdraw with him to a quiet place and rest with him. The little childhood prayer is appropriate: "Now I lay me down to sleep and pray the LORD my soul to keep." Only this isn't just about a good night's sleep; it's about taking time in the middle of our wild and crazy days to join him for a few moments of grace, rest, and refreshment. Let's make these daily stops in God's Word more than quick e-mail viewing; let's let it be a time to withdraw with the Savior and rest. Jesus still beckons us: "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."
My Prayer...
Holy and gentle Shepherd, the one who stills my soul, thank you for your constant care and loving faithfulness. Please touch my heart as I try to be more disciplined in my rest times with you. Please keep my soul, but even more, please restore my soul as I withdraw to spend time with your Son and my Savior Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
