Finding Rest: God's Invitation to Stillness and Presence

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Understands Our Struggles and Invites Us to the Throne of Grace

No matter what burdens or temptations you carry, you are invited to approach God with confidence because Jesus, our High Priest, fully understands your weaknesses. He has experienced every temptation and struggle, yet without sin, and offers not judgment but grace and forgiveness. You do not need to come with shame or fear; instead, bring your failures and needs to Him, knowing He longs to wash away your shame and welcome you as His beloved child. [22:31]

Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV)
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Reflection: What is one area of struggle or shame you’ve been hiding from God? Can you take a moment today to bring it honestly to Jesus, trusting that He understands and welcomes you with grace?

Day 2: God’s Desire to Quiet You with His Love

God’s heart is not to overwhelm you with wrath or endless demands, but to quiet you with His love and rejoice over you with gladness. Even when life is noisy or your faith feels like a checklist, He invites you to simply be still in His presence, to let His love bring you peace and rest. Like a parent comforting a child, God longs for you to curl up in His arms, to experience the security and joy of being loved by Him, not for what you do, but for who you are. [39:41]

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Reflection: When was the last time you allowed yourself to simply rest in God’s presence without an agenda? How can you intentionally make space today to be quieted by His love?

Day 3: The Gift of Stillness—Listening to God Above the Noise

In a world and faith life filled with busyness and constant activity, God calls you to be still and listen. True spiritual growth often happens not in doing more, but in pausing to hear God’s voice, to let Him speak correction, comfort, and direction into your life. When you slow down and embrace silence with the Lord, you open yourself to His transforming presence and the deep assurance that He is God, and you are His. [44:03]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: What is one practical way you can carve out a few minutes of true stillness with God today, setting aside distractions to simply listen for His voice?

Day 4: Don’t Miss God’s Presence by Being Busy—Listen to Jesus

Like Peter on the mountain, it’s easy to get caught up in doing and planning, even in spiritual things, and miss the wonder of simply being with Jesus. God’s call is to stop, be silent, and listen to His Son—letting go of the need to always be productive or say the right thing. Jesus wants a relationship with you, not just your activity; He wants you to experience His presence, hear His voice, and know the joy of being with Him, not just working for Him. [46:32]

Matthew 17:1-7 (ESV)
"And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.' He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.' When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, 'Rise, and have no fear.'"

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to “do” for Jesus instead of simply being with Him? What would it look like to pause and listen to Him today?

Day 5: God Rejoices Over You—Let That Transform Your Walk

God’s love for you is not passive or distant; He actively rejoices over you, sings over you, and delights in spending time with you. Your faith is not just about your pursuit of God, but about His joyful pursuit of you. When you slow down enough to notice, you can hear the songs He sings over your life, and let His delight in you shape your identity, your rest, and your response to Him. [51:59]

Isaiah 62:5 (ESV)
"For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you."

Reflection: How does it change your view of God and yourself to know that He rejoices over you? What is one way you can respond to His delight in you today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering centered on the profound invitation God extends to each of us: to be still, to listen, and to rest in His presence. Drawing from the story of Zephaniah, we explored a time in Israel’s history marked by cycles of idolatry, repentance, and restoration. Even under the leadership of a good king like Josiah, the people’s hearts often drifted from God, revealing that outward reform is not enough—true transformation must happen within. Zephaniah’s message, though filled with warnings of judgment, ultimately points to God’s desire to keep a faithful remnant and to bring hope and healing, not just to Israel but to all nations.

A key theme emerged from Zephaniah 3:17: “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” This verse reveals God’s heart—not to silence us with wrath, but to quiet us with His love. Too often, our lives and even our spiritual practices become so busy and task-oriented that we miss the simple, transformative gift of being still with God. Like Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration, we can be so eager to do something for God that we miss the invitation to simply listen and be present with Him.

God’s desire is not for us to check spiritual boxes or maintain perfect devotional streaks, but to know Him and to be known by Him. He delights in us, rejoices over us, and longs to spend time with us—not just in our prayers and Bible reading, but in the mundane moments of our lives. The call is to slow down, to be silent before the Lord, and to let His love quiet our restless hearts. In doing so, we discover that God is not only the one we seek, but the one who seeks us, who sings over us, and who brings us true rest.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Correction Is Rooted in Love, Not Just Judgment Zephaniah’s warnings of judgment are not ends in themselves, but means by which God seeks to restore and heal His people. Even when drastic correction comes, it is motivated by a desire to bring transformation, not destruction. God always preserves a remnant—a faithful few—through whom He continues His work of redemption. [36:54]
2. True Spiritual Renewal Requires More Than Outward Reform King Josiah’s reforms brought visible change, but the people’s hearts remained prone to idolatry. Genuine transformation happens when we allow God to address the deeper issues within us, not just our external behaviors. Outward acts of faith are important, but they must flow from an inward relationship with God. [33:56]
3. The Gift of Stillness: God Longs to Quiet Us with His Love Zephaniah 3:17 reveals that God’s heart is to quiet us with His love, not to overwhelm us with demands. In a culture obsessed with busyness and productivity, we are invited to be still, to rest in God’s presence, and to let Him minister to us. Silence before God is not emptiness, but a space where we encounter His delight and care for us. [39:41]
4. Listening Is Greater Than Doing in God’s Presence The story of Peter at the Transfiguration reminds us that sometimes our eagerness to act can drown out God’s voice. God’s command, “Listen to Him,” calls us to prioritize attentive presence over constant activity. We often miss God’s best when we are too busy talking or doing, rather than simply being with Him. [46:32]
5. God Rejoices Over Us and Desires Relationship, Not Performance Our faith is not about maintaining perfect spiritual routines, but about relationship with a God who delights in us. God sings over us, rejoices in our presence, and desires to spend time with us in every aspect of life. When we slow down and receive His love, we experience the joy and rest that only He can give. [51:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Ministry Updates & Announcements
[11:21] - Drawing Near to the Throne of Grace
[21:16] - Jesus Understands Our Struggles
[29:25] - Introduction to Zephaniah
[31:08] - Historical Context: King Josiah and Judah
[33:56] - Josiah’s Reforms and the People’s Hearts
[35:38] - Zephaniah’s Prophetic Structure
[36:54] - God’s Judgment and the Remnant
[39:41] - The Heart of God: Quieted by His Love
[41:20] - The Gift of Stillness with God
[44:43] - The Transfiguration: Listening Over Doing
[46:32] - Peter’s Busyness vs. God’s Invitation
[49:44] - God Desires Relationship, Not Performance
[51:59] - God Rejoices Over You
[53:54] - Prayer and Invitation to Rest
[59:20] - Prayers for the Community
[64:49] - Communion and the Lord’s Prayer
[70:07] - Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV) — > The Lord your God is in your midst,
> a mighty one who will save;
> he will rejoice over you with gladness;
> he will quiet you by his love;
> he will exult over you with loud singing.

Matthew 17:1-7 (ESV) – The Transfiguration — > And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”

Psalm 46:10 (ESV) — > “Be still, and know that I am God.
> I will be exalted among the nations,
> I will be exalted in the earth!”

Observation Questions

In Zephaniah 3:17, what are the different ways God expresses His love and care for His people?
According to the sermon, what was the main problem with the reforms under King Josiah, even though there was outward change? ([33:56])
In the story of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-7), what was Peter’s initial reaction to the moment, and how did God respond to him? ([46:32])
What does Psalm 46:10 command us to do, and how does this relate to the theme of the sermon?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God’s correction, as described in Zephaniah, is rooted in love rather than just judgment? How does this shape our understanding of God’s character? ([36:54])
The sermon mentioned that outward acts of faith are important, but true transformation happens within. Why is it so easy to focus on external behaviors rather than the heart? ([33:56])
In the Transfiguration story, why do you think God interrupts Peter and tells him to “listen to Him” instead of acting or speaking? What does this reveal about the importance of listening over doing? ([46:32])
The sermon described God as one who “rejoices over us” and “sings over us.” How does this image of God challenge or encourage your view of your relationship with Him? ([51:59])

Application Questions

The sermon talked about how our lives and even our spiritual practices can become so busy and task-oriented that we miss the gift of being still with God. What are some specific ways your spiritual life has become more about “doing” than “being”? ([43:26])
When was the last time you intentionally set aside time to be silent before God, without an agenda or list of requests? What would it look like to make this a regular practice? ([41:20])
The story of Peter at the Transfiguration shows how easy it is to want to “do something” for God instead of simply listening. Can you think of a recent time when you were quick to act or speak, but missed an opportunity to listen for God’s voice? What could you do differently next time? ([46:32])
The sermon said, “God’s desire is not for us to check spiritual boxes or maintain perfect devotional streaks, but to know Him and to be known by Him.” Are there any “spiritual boxes” you feel pressure to check? How can you shift your focus from performance to relationship? ([49:44])
Zephaniah 3:17 says God will “quiet you by his love.” What are some practical ways you can let God’s love quiet your heart this week, especially in moments of anxiety or busyness? ([39:41])
The idea that God “rejoices over you with gladness” and “sings over you” is a powerful one. How does believing this truth affect the way you see yourself and your worth? ([51:59])
The sermon encouraged us to include God not just in our prayers and Bible reading, but in the mundane moments of our lives. What is one ordinary activity this week where you can intentionally invite God’s presence? ([50:28])

Sermon Clips

Don't come with your head down, with your tail between your legs. Scripture says we can approach the throne with confidence because it is a throne of grace and understanding. He's come so that he can wash this shame away. [00:22:31] (19 seconds) #ThroneOfGraceNotJudgment

Thank you for letting us approach your throne and not having it just be a throne of consequence or a throne of chaos or a throne of judgment. But Scripture calls it a throne of grace. Thank you for being gracious, Heavenly Father. And he's gracious with you once more. And he extends that grace from his throne to you today with these words, Child, you are forgiven in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, washed, cleansed, and new. Because of his blood, his sacrifice, and his work, we are cleaned. That's the truth. Believe it. [00:23:24] (57 seconds) #WashedCleanByGrace

It reveals that all this destruction that has been talked about previously in the book has a purpose of bringing transformation and healing. That he's actually trying to bring unity to the world and to his people. That his people are no longer going to be known for their sin and their shame, but known for how good their God is. [00:38:07] (22 seconds) #StopListenAndHear

But the heart of God is not to silence his people with wrath. The heart of God is to do it in the way he describes in verse 17, chapter 3 that we just read. He says, I long to quiet you with my love. [00:40:47] (19 seconds) #BusyButStillWithJesus

But have we rested in His presence? Have we been still? I'm not great at that, to be honest. By the way, I'm well aware that I might be preaching to myself today, so if you could just nod your head once in a while so I don't feel so alone, that would be great. Church, there's a great gift in silence, in stillness with God. Psalm 4610, be still and know that I'm God. Crill up with me on the couch, would you? You don't need to be saying, just come, be with me. [00:43:41] (45 seconds) #RelationshipOverRitual

``Jesus doesn't want a perfect devotional streak. He wants you. He doesn't need more prayers like the Pharisees who were throwing up empty words. Jesus came to have a relationship with us to come in flesh so that we could relate to him and spend time with him in a very real sense. [00:49:37] (19 seconds) #GodSingsOverYou

And our faith walk isn't just about spending time with Jesus. Do you know that God wants to spend time with you? This isn't a one -sided affair. This isn't just about, I got to go spend some time with Jesus today. That can bring us joy. But do you know the joy it brings God to spend time with you too? [00:49:58] (21 seconds) #RestInJesusLove

When we become so busy, we can lose out on being quieted by his love and we can miss out on this profound truth that we have a God that rejoices over us. And as we are busy, even within our walks with Jesus, we can miss the songs that God is singing over us. Isn't that beautiful? He will exalt over you with loud singing. It's not just about the praises that we sing to the Lord. It's not just the songs that we sing or the ones that we're really feeling. God's singing songs over you. [00:52:04] (37 seconds)

Jesus longs to give you rest. Perhaps your faith walk has been looking like Peter's lately, trying just to do something productive, even in the midst of something as wonderful as a transfiguration. And today God tells all of us once again, Jesus is God's son. Listen to him. Spend time with him. This isn't about what you can do. It's about what Jesus is doing in you and through you. Be silent. Be still. Relax. Be quieted by his great love. [00:52:42] (40 seconds)

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