Rest

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for The LORD has been good to you." 

- Psalm 116:7

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Today is the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 attack on our country. If I turn on the news right now, the still horrific images will be plastered across my screen, victims and heroes are being interviewed, and everyone is remembering... 

It's easy to remember the fear we all felt that day. It's easy to remember the terror, the devastation, the death, and the evil that took place that day. Our minds hold onto those feelings, and as a nation, we'll never forget. 

But as Christians, we have to understand that pain and destruction are not the end. We do not live in fear of what has happened, or what may come, because we know that God is still in control, and through every event that comes, He is still good. 

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Our scripture today tells us to be at rest once more, for The LORD has been good to us. But what does that mean? How do we live a life of rest, when our world is in such turmoil? Quieting our minds and hearts can be hard, but it's something we have to learn to do in order to live in God's rest. 

God does not desire for us to be slaves to worry and fear, He does not want us to live our lives encumbered by the "what if's" of this world, afraid of what's around the corner. Instead, God desires for us to rest in Him. 

He has left with us His Holy Spirit, Whom now dwells within us, and is present with us to give us comfort and peace, and all we need to do is ask Him for it. God desires to pour out His love and healing presence over you, He desires that we give Him our worries and our doubts, in order that we might clear our minds and hearts and feel true peace which only He can give. 

We find our rest, when we talk to The LORD. We find our peace when we let His words comfort us. We find strength and courage for a new day when we reflect on what He's already done, and remind ourselves that He has always been faithful in the past, and He has promised to remain faithful in our future. 

When we trust God to take care of us, and to answer our prayers, that's when true rest comes. When we give up control, give over our worries, and rely on The God of Heaven, Who is working everything out for our good. 

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As we remember 9/11, let us take time to also remember that The LORD has been good to us, He has taken care of us, and we are safe in Him. 

Rest, dear friend, take a breath. 

Allow God's soft voice to whisper to your heart today, and let Him wash away all of your fears. Our God is in control, and we have nothing left to fear. 

Just rest. 

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