Resting Place

Information is flying at all of us at a rate that is hard to sustain. And often, it is conflicting information. What exactly is this virus? How is it transmitted? Does hand-sanitizer work or work against our health? Are we flattening the curve? How serious is it? Why aren’t people taking it more serious? What about the economy? Jobs? Will the supply line continue?

There is so much noise that it is hard to find rest. Which seems odd considering most of us are in our homes and can work in our pajamas if we want. Life has slowed down a bit, but yet it still feels hectic. Maybe that’s because so much of it feels unsure and unknown at the moment. What will tomorrow bring? And therefore we are restless. Our minds don’t stop. Our souls are troubled. Even for those who aren’t necessarily worried about the virus - there is still plenty that is cause for trouble.

Our souls need rest.

Psalm 116:7

Return, O my soul, to your rest;

for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

These words are part of a psalm of thanksgiving. The psalmist has seen great trouble and distress. He called out to the Lord for deliverance - and it was found. Just prior to verse 7 we read:

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;

our God is merciful.

The Lord preserves the simple;

when I was brought low, he saved me. (116:5,6)

God revealed his nature and his character as he answered the suffering. He does not stand aloof to all that we are going through. He has entered in to our suffering and pain. That is shown most clearly in the incarnation of our Lord and Savior.

Hebrews 4:14-16:

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

This is a time (as is all time) when we need mercy and grace to help. Let us go to him. And as I think back to Psalm 116:7 - it is the psalmist commanding his own soul to come back to a place of rest. Why? Because God has dealt bountifully. How has he done that? He has saved. In Christ he has saved from eternal trouble all who repent and believe. He is a God who is merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love and truth (Exodus 34:6,7).

Take some time and recount the bountiful ways the Lord has deal with you. How He has blessed you greatly. Speak to your soul the gospel of grace and may it return to rest in the midst of trouble and uncertainty. Our God is a bountiful God.

Here is a great song for this day - this is the bounty of the Lord.

My faith has found a resting place 
From guilt my soul is free 
I trust the Ever-living One 
His wounds shall plead for me. 

I need no other argument 
I need no other plea 
It is enough that Jesus died 
And that He died for me 

My great physician heals the sick 
The lost He came to save 
For me His precious blood He shed 
For me His life He gave 

My heart is leaning on the Word 
The written Word of God 
Salvation by my Savior’s name 
Salvation through His blood