God's Word speaks a lot about times and days. Isaiah writes concerning contrasting days. One terrible and fierce and the other free of fear and imprisonment. Whether the day of judgment mentioned was referencing a near fulfillment or the final judgment, "the day of the LORD" brings divine punishment to those who do not follow Christ. But, for those who have surrendered their lives to God and responded to Christ's invitation of salvation, there will be a "wonderful day when the LORD gives His people rest from sorrow and fear, from slavery and chains."
It's not just unbelievers who are held in bondage and need release. Yes, those who do not know the Lord as their personal Saviour live enchained to sin, but many Christians also live captive. Behind locked doors and self-imposed cells, discouragement, pain, rejection, insecurity, fear, accusations, past, present and future, all build up walls. Although rest is available to us as believers, I wonder how many live with rest from sorrow. Rest from fear. Rest from slavery. Rest from chains. Sadly, many live in bondage to oppression and grief, longing for the Lord to bring them relief. Oh, to know the rest of the Lord through every day of our lives and truly live in that freedom.
Funerals always impact my life. I attended one years ago and, in our understanding he died too soon. My friend's father was only in his early 60's. Although I never had the opportunity to meet this man, his funeral deeply made an impression on me. The tributes and memories shared by family and loved ones were beautiful. We viewed a slide presentation set to music, tracing the journey of this gentleman's life. The one thing that really spoke to my heart was that this man had truly lived!
He was not held back by fear. He was an adventurer. Concerns, sorrow, and anxiety did not hold him captive. He lived out loud. He was not afraid to follow the dreams God had placed in his heart, and yet he did not take foolish risks. He enjoyed each day to the full. As a Christ-follower, at his last breath, he went from living to living.
Many lives, mine included, would be such a shadow in comparison. Weariness and worry more often than not characterize our existence. We are no longer active participants, but spectators. We long to live today in the rest that Christ gives, free of problems, frightening diagnosis, health challenges, conflicts, loneliness, stressful jobs, hurtful memories and disappointments. Disappointments in people, and, dare we say it? Disappointment in God. Somewhere along the line we have felt that God has let us down. We had plans. We had desires. Life was once filled with enthusiasm and drive. Holding to promises we felt were ours to claim, we were cruelly robbed of their fulfillment. We long for rest, not just at death, but now.
We do not have to wait until eternity to know the rest of God. The restlessness that stirs is the instrument to draw us near. The truth is, as children of God, our chains are gone. We've been set free! We do not have to live as hostages. Although chains might be our familiar, the winter in our soul does not need to remain. Today could be our prison break. The rest we can experience now brings inner peace and abiding joy. It is a foretaste of the sweet, eternal rest we will know in heaven.
No comments:
Post a Comment