We hit a new low in our home this week. On Monday, strong grace led me to a place I never wanted to go.
But First The Deer
But I’m not writing for sympathy. I’m writing to tell you that the God is good. He gives peace. He gives rest. I’m not whistling Dixie.
I had not been in a court room since jury duty 14 years ago. For love’s sake, Monday I went.
But first, the deer. I was dressing for court when I glanced out the bedroom window and saw her.
The little deer wandered through, perused the blooms, then nestled right in. She lay down. The fawn found rest in those bright white daisies.
Then The Rest
As she did, I stole over and snapped these. I heard a few short snorts. Mama was near.
Five minutes later, I was was on the way to the courthouse. That story is still unfolding. This chapter is more soul-stretching than any God’s granted me yet. I won’t sugarcoat.
But I will say, God gives rest. He is the Prince of Peace. His anxiety cure is tried and true. I lie down and sleep in peace. He provided this quiet fawn moments before my hard hour on a harder bench. I don’t think I’m in denial.
I just want you to know God’s Word is true.
5 Favorite Rest Verses
Which verse can you take for your own? Or is there another you go to? Would you drop it in the comments?
1. My soul finds rest in God alone my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62:1
2. Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden and, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
3. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell and safety. Psalm 4:8
4. You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
5. The Lord is my shepherd I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters. Psalm 23:23:1-2
Will you lean into these? With me?
Lean In, Lie Down, And Sleep
I know this water might get faster, deeper, stronger. I might sink lower. After Monday, I’d be naive to think we’re clear sailing.
But as I said in Monday’s SOS texts, “those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” They don’t. They lie down and sleep in peace. They rest. We rest. We lie down in green pastures and fields of daisies.
The fawn knew her deer mother was watching, close. We know our good Father is watching, his Spirit with us.
My soul finds rest in God alone. No good thing does he withhold.
So child, will you rest? With me?
Very well said and timely as we are in the midst of trying times that are punctuated by the uncertainty of the dynamic economic climate and the effects on the less fortunate non-believers.
Spot on. Circumstances do not steal our peace. God with us cannot be stolen. He is our portion, our rest, our peace. Thank you for living that too.
I’m sorry for your sadness at this difficult time. It is mine to share and I will follow you in your trust in the Lord’s loving care for comfort and peace in a safe place.
Thank you. That means a lot. I know you’ve been through deep waters and still trust God is good.
Yes, all the verses you mention along with this part of John 14:2, “,,,if it were not so I would have told you…” So personal, so intimate that “I” and “You”. Utterly trustworthy. Rock solid. “He leads me beside still waters… if it were not so I would have told you…” Believe it. It’s a touchstone for me when life is difficult.
Amen, my sister. Mmmm, mmm, mmm! So good. He leads us through. With us in the fire and the flood. Faithful forever, kind and good.
My soul was pulled so deep, I created a graphic of my “infant doe” resting in God’s huge hands and I printed copies and posted them everywhere I spent any time… my work desk, my vehicle, my bathroom mirror, my kitchen sink… I NEEDED the constant reminder that my adult doe was still in God’s care, wherever that was… it was a hard 15 years, and I too went places I never imagined I’d have to go. God is faithful…
That is fantastic. I just love your testimony of committing yourself to our faithful Creator. I just read Psalm 9-10 today and love the this:
“But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief,
To repay it by Your hand.
The helpless commits himself to You.”
Abigail, I am so sorry for your deep sorrow. My heart truly aches. What a precious, living picture God sent to your window. So personal. Just for you. Reminding you once again of what you have learned and embraced over the years, layer by layer. I love the verses. Another passage that has brought comfort is this:
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
“Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with lapis lazuli.
I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.
All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.
In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you.”
May the Lord continue to nestle you in His
peace, Abigail.
Thank you, friend. Yes, God is so kind to have me look out right there, right then.
Wonderful words of life for God’s own. ♥️
That remind me of these beauties: “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (Isaiah 32)
What a comfort those verses are!!