Surely each one of us want to enjoy rest in our souls and in our hectic lives. We want to find our strength in quietness and confidence. God says in Isaiah 30:15 that all we need to do is to return to Him and do things His way instead of our own way. But what happened? God lamented as He said: “But you would have none of it.”
Again in Jeremiah 6:16 God speaks about rest: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Another beautiful invitation to God’s rest. But did they receive His invitation? No. Instead they said: “We will not walk therein.” They would rather trust in their own ideas than go back to the old paths, even when it’s stressful.
Jeremiah 17:19-24 speaks about the literal Sabbath Day of rest and not violating it. But this same principle applies to us in our daily lives. God says: “If you diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein, Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David . . . “
When we bring burdens into our lives through the gates of our minds, we lose our rest. We live in turmoil instead of God’s rest. We allow our burdens to become king in our hearts instead of Christ Himself. Either Jesus is King or our burdens and troubles. It’s our choice.
But did they listen? No. ”They obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, not receive instruction.” (v. 23).
Do we accept God’s way for rest or try to do it our own way?
Blessings from Nancy Campbell