Where do you find rest?

Home is the place where we feel a sense of peace and safety, away from the things of this world. It may not be perfect because of all the responsibilities or because it needs some home improvements, but it is still the place we long for after a long day. Home is the place we can have things placed just the way we would like. There’s no other place we can be ourselves like at home. It lures us back no matter how frazzling it can be; we are forever drawn in. There’s a place of serenity, hope and security that has always had it’s doors open for each of us—The Presence of God. 

“Those who trust in God’s Goodness have a secure sanctum.”

19  Oh, how great is Your Goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! 20  You shall hide them in the secret place of Your Presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues (Psalm 31).

The LORD has a secret place prepared for those who fear Him: a place of refuge from their enemies; a hiding place from any plots that are wrought against them. Those who trust in God’s Goodness have a secure sanctum. In His Presence, no one and no scheming works of wickedness can touch them. God’s Presence is a secret refuge from adversaries. He preserves those who fear Him. He will protect those who trust in Him and will do so openly. He honors them before others for putting their trust in Him. Oh how great is His Goodness that is a shelter from adversity!

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? 2  For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,” Says The LORD. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My Word (Isaiah 66).”

God doesn’t desire to reside in places built by hands. He is too Great for heaven and earth. As far as our eyes can see, He has created it all and He holds it all together. He is underwhelmed by sophisticated architectural structures as His dwelling place. His heart is set on the one who is humble, with a contrite spirit, and who trembles at His Word. God will dwell with them wherever they are found; regardless of what structure they live in. He will reside with those who seek the Word at His Mouth, and offer Him their time and attention. 

The LORD will reside with the spirit of the one who surrenders to Him. This is their honor—God is pleased to dwell in them. Have you created the atmosphere that’s conducive for God’s Presence? The LORD chooses to dwell in the one who will submit to Him. It’s a place within us that yearns to hear Him and is obliged to fellowship with Him.

7 If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples (John 15).

There’s a place where our desires can be heard and met—in one accord with Christ; a place where we are found in Him. If we abide in Him, He will also dwell in us. But we must be willing to let His Words remain in us by meditating on them and applying them to our lives. Living in obedience is implementing Christ’s Ways to become fruitful in life. Believers in Christ must bear fruit in the knowledge of Who He is. True disciples glorify the Father by being productive and useful, in keeping His Word. Where do you bear much fruit for God’s Glory? This is the place you have been called to live out your faith. It is every place where you can boldly please God, by being an effective disciple. The desires you have will be met as long as you remain in Christ.

14  “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My Name. 15  He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16  With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation (Psalms 91).”

God has an ordained place for those who love Him and are devoted to knowing Him personally. He establishes and settles them where He honors them and sets them on high; furnishing them from the abundance of His Greatness. They will call upon Him and He will answer them in their time of trouble. Adoration for God keeps God first in our lives. He honors those who honor Him and becomes their full portion. We will lack nothing good when we love God above everything else. In every place we rest our feet, we can call on Him, worship Him and be satisfied with His Goodness. We have an untrammeled supply of God’s resources, at every turn we call on Him. 

“If we abide in Him, He will also dwell in us.”

12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit (1 John 4). 

Abiding in God is loving others as God would. We can’t see God but we see His Character by His Goodness, Grace, Mercy, Justice, Truth and Love. God is Love and those who know God and trust in His Name must love as He Loves. His Love is perfected in us by expressing His Love, and not just loving others on our terms. We remain in His Love by loving through His Spirit—His Presence manifesting in us. 

“The LORD chooses to dwell in the one who will submit to Him.”

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My Words; and the Word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s Who sent Me (John 14).”

The LORD wants to dwell with us and make His abode with us. He promises that those who love Him by obeying Him, will have an admittance to His Everlasting Presence. He will come and make Himself available to us at all times. Love is tested by our willingness to obey. Those who don’t keep His Word shun the Presence of God in their daily lives; by disobedience they keep Him aloof and show their antipathy for His Ways. God will reside with those who are willing to accommodate Him in their life. 

We spend the better part of our day in places that impact us positively or negatively. We are influenced by the atmosphere around us, to carry the day or to fall short of expectations. God’s Presence in us is the place we should find our hope, security, and victory. If we set our sights on our affection for God, we will love others around us as He would; Love is unlikely to fail us or others. We must be determined to obey His Voice and to cling to Him. He is Faithful to protect us and keep us in the riches of His abundant Goodness. He will make His abode in us and with us. He is our secret place of refuge hidden from the insurmountable cares of this world. As long as we keep His Ways we can be fruitful in many areas of our lives. Put down your roots where God is found.

6  There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. 7  You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased. 8   I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4).