REST IN THE LORD, HE WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU!
TEXT:
"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep." (Psalms 127 stanza 2, King James Version).
Here, we have it stated in Scripture how vain it is for you to live in agitation to pursue your needs or the things of the world. I love the New English Translation of the Scripture reading for today. It says,
"It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food. Yes, he can provide for those whom he loves even when they sleep."
With God as your Shepherd, you don't need "to rise up early, come home late, and work so hard for your food" The Great Provider is able "to provide for those whom he loves even when they sleep." Did you hear that? Yes, even when you are asleep, He works for you, making provisions for your needs.
What entitles you to enjoy God's providence is because as a Christian, you have been "accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1 verse 6). This means that you are accepted by God exactly the same way as He has accepted Jesus Christ. God's testimony regarding Jesus Christ is,
"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased;" (Matthew chapters 3 verse 17 and 17 verse 5). I make bold to say that every born again Christian is God's beloved.
As the beloved of God, He has, inter-alia, become your Shepherd. The Bible says,
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalms 23 stanza 1). Surely, you cannot have this great God as your Shepherd and be in want!
One of the benefits of being in Christ is that we enjoy God's unmerited love and care. God wants us to abandon ourselves to His love and His care, so it is said in 1st Peter 5 verse 7,
"Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you." The Amplified translation of this same verse reads, "Casting the whole of your care—all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all—on Him; for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully."
In the same vein, Philippians 4 verse 6 tells us to "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Again, the Amplified translation says, "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything,...."
That's God's Word for us. He desires to relate with us just as He did with Jesus, His Son when He was here on earth It is in fulfillment of His unfailing providence that He."giveth his beloved sleep."
Can you believe God and without delusion, cast all your cares upon Him? The Bible says He cares! Does it make sense for you to be careful and anxious when at the same time God, the Omnipotent One says that He cares? Let's cease from all the anxiety and care to enjoy His rest, because He gives His beloved sleep.
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, I cast all my care and anxiety on You.I refrain from worry and care. Thank You for giving me rest because I'm Your beloved and You care about me.