Finding True Rest and Trust in God

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing a Heart of Gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful practice that transforms our perspective and aligns our hearts with God's will. By giving thanks for our families, friends, and church community, we acknowledge God's faithfulness and presence in our lives. This attitude of thanksgiving opens the door to experiencing God's peace and strength, even in challenging times. When we cultivate a heart of gratitude, we are reminded of God's continuous blessings and His unwavering support through every season of life.

In Psalm 100:4, we are encouraged to "enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." This verse highlights the importance of approaching God with a thankful heart, recognizing His goodness and mercy. As we gather to worship, let us remember to give thanks for the many ways God has blessed us and to express our gratitude through our words and actions. [09:10]

Psalm 100:4 (ESV): "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!"

Reflection: Think of three specific things you are grateful for today. How can you express your gratitude to God and others in a tangible way?

Day 2: Finding True Rest in God

True rest is not about inactivity but about aligning our actions with God's will. It involves doing the right things at the right time for the right reasons. This kind of rest brings fulfillment and prevents burnout, as seen in the story of Martha and Mary. Prioritizing our relationship with Jesus is key to experiencing this rest. When we focus on what truly matters and seek to align our lives with God's purposes, we find a deeper sense of peace and satisfaction.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus extends the greatest invitation: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This invitation is a call to find rest in Him, not through ceasing all activity, but by engaging in the right activities that bring us closer to Him. By prioritizing our relationship with Jesus and seeking His guidance, we can experience true rest and avoid the pitfalls of burnout. [14:24]

Matthew 11:28 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Reflection: What activities in your life are causing you stress and burnout? How can you realign your priorities to focus on what truly matters and find rest in Jesus?

Day 3: Trusting God as Our Shepherd

Trust is foundational to finding rest in God. Just as sheep trust their shepherd, we must trust God to lead, protect, and provide for us. This trust allows us to live in peace, knowing that God is in control and will take care of our needs. When we fully rely on God, we can cast all our burdens on Him and find rest for our souls. This trust is built through a personal relationship with God, where we learn to depend on His guidance and provision.

Psalm 23 beautifully illustrates this trust, as it describes God as our shepherd who leads us beside still waters and restores our souls. In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, trusting God as our shepherd brings a sense of peace and security. By placing our trust in Him, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that He is always with us. [21:41]

Psalm 23:1-2 (ESV): "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God fully? How can you take a step of faith today to trust Him more deeply?

Day 4: Comfort in Dark Valleys

In times of darkness and uncertainty, God promises to be with us and provide clarity and comfort. Psalm 23 assures us that even in the darkest valleys, we need not fear because God is with us. His rod and staff guide and comfort us, giving us the strength to navigate life's challenges. This promise of God's presence and comfort is a source of hope and encouragement, reminding us that we are never alone.

When we face difficult circumstances, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and fearful. However, God's promise to be with us in the dark valleys gives us the courage to keep moving forward. By relying on His guidance and seeking His comfort, we can find the strength to overcome any obstacle and experience His peace in the midst of trials. [31:19]

Psalm 23:4 (ESV): "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge or difficult situation you faced. How did you experience God's presence and comfort during that time?

Day 5: Slowing Down and Trusting God

In a world that values busyness, it is crucial to slow down and trust God with our time and resources. By setting aside time for rest and worship, we demonstrate our trust in God's provision and protection. This act of faith allows us to experience true rest and peace, knowing that God is our shepherd who cares for us. Slowing down and prioritizing our relationship with God helps us to focus on what truly matters and to find balance in our lives.

The concept of Sabbath is a powerful reminder of the importance of rest and trust in God. By observing a day of rest, we acknowledge that our lives are not solely dependent on our efforts but on God's provision. This practice helps us to reset and refocus, allowing us to experience the fullness of God's peace and rest. [36:45]

Exodus 20:8-10 (ESV): "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God."

Reflection: How can you incorporate a regular time of rest and worship into your weekly routine? What changes do you need to make to prioritize your relationship with God?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church. Today, we come before God with hearts full of thanksgiving. We acknowledge His faithfulness and strength in our lives, regardless of the challenges we face. We give thanks for our families, friends, and church community, recognizing God's presence in every season of our lives. As we gather to worship, we are reminded of the importance of gratitude and the need to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.

This month, we have been exploring the theme of rest. We began by discussing the greatest invitation from Jesus in Matthew 11:28, where He calls us to come to Him for rest. We learned that true rest is not about inactivity but about doing the right things at the right time for the right reasons. Today, we focus on the concept of "still waters" from Psalm 23, which paints a beautiful picture of rest and trust in God.

I shared a personal story about a young man who needed help finding his lost phone. This experience highlighted the importance of trust and relationship. Just as I was hesitant to trust a stranger, we often struggle to trust God fully. However, Psalm 23 reminds us that God is our shepherd, and we are His sheep. When we trust Him, we find rest and peace, even in the midst of life's chaos.

In our world today, people are desperate for rest. Many turn to various methods like meditation apps and relaxation techniques, but true rest comes from a trusting relationship with God. When we trust God as our shepherd, we can cast all our burdens on Him and find rest for our souls. This trust allows us to slow down, prioritize our relationship with God, and find peace in His presence.

As we continue to explore the theme of rest, let us remember that God is our shepherd who provides, protects, and comforts us. No matter the season we are in, we can trust Him to lead us beside still waters and restore our souls. Let us fully rely on Him and find our rest in His loving care.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude and Thanksgiving: Embracing a heart of gratitude is essential in our walk with God. By giving thanks for our families, friends, and church community, we acknowledge God's faithfulness and presence in our lives. This attitude of thanksgiving opens the door to experiencing God's peace and strength, even in challenging times. [09:10]
2. True Rest in God: True rest is not about inactivity but about aligning our actions with God's will. It involves doing the right things at the right time for the right reasons. This kind of rest brings fulfillment and prevents burnout, as seen in the story of Martha and Mary. Prioritizing our relationship with Jesus is key to experiencing this rest. [14:24]
3. Trusting Relationship with God: Trust is foundational to finding rest in God. Just as sheep trust their shepherd, we must trust God to lead, protect, and provide for us. This trust allows us to live in peace, knowing that God is in control and will take care of our needs. [21:41]
4. God's Comfort and Guidance: In times of darkness and uncertainty, God promises to be with us and provide clarity and comfort. Psalm 23 assures us that even in the darkest valleys, we need not fear because God is with us. His rod and staff guide and comfort us, giving us the strength to navigate life's challenges. [31:19]
5. Slowing Down and Trusting God: In a world that values busyness, it is crucial to slow down and trust God with our time and resources. By setting aside time for rest and worship, we demonstrate our trust in God's provision and protection. This act of faith allows us to experience true rest and peace, knowing that God is our shepherd who cares for us. [36:45]
### [36:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[09:10] - Thanksgiving and Praise
[10:05] - Gratitude for Family and Friends
[11:07] - Entering His Gates with Thanksgiving
[14:24] - The Greatest Invitation
[16:09] - Prioritizing Relationship with Jesus
[17:33] - Personal Story: Trust and Relationship
[19:19] - Trusting God as Our Shepherd
[21:41] - Living Like Sheep at Still Waters
[22:46] - The Search for Rest in Today's World
[23:53] - What Rest Looks Like
[26:46] - Psalm 23: The Shepherd's Care
[28:00] - Dependence on the Shepherd
[29:11] - God's Provision and Protection
[31:19] - Comfort in Dark Valleys
[32:15] - Clarity and Guidance from God
[33:07] - The Need for Comfort
[34:19] - Tragic Story: The Need for God's Comfort
[36:45] - Slowing Down and Trusting God
[38:03] - The Sabbath and Trusting God
[39:34] - Trusting God in All Seasons
[40:26] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
[45:57] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[51:03] - Offering and Trusting God with Finances
[54:28] - Closing Song and Benediction
[59:16] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 23:1-4 (NIV) — > "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

2. Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
> "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

3. Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
> "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 23, what are some of the ways God provides for and comforts His people?
In Matthew 11:28, what does Jesus promise to those who come to Him?
How does the pastor describe the relationship between trust and rest in his personal story about the young man and the lost phone? [19:19]
What are some modern methods people use to find rest, as mentioned in the sermon? [22:46]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to trust God as our shepherd, and how does this trust lead to rest? [21:41]
How can the story of Martha and Mary help us understand the concept of true rest in God? [14:24]
Why is it important to slow down and prioritize our relationship with God in today's busy world? [36:45]
How does the promise of God's comfort in Psalm 23:4 apply to the challenges we face in our lives today? [31:19]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you struggled to trust God fully. What steps can you take to deepen your trust in Him this week? [19:19]
How can you incorporate more moments of gratitude and thanksgiving into your daily routine to acknowledge God's faithfulness? [09:10]
Identify one area of your life where you feel particularly burdened or weary. How can you bring this burden to Jesus and find rest in Him? [14:24]
In what ways can you slow down and prioritize your relationship with God amidst your busy schedule? Consider setting aside specific times for rest and worship. [36:45]
Think about a recent challenge or dark valley you have faced. How did you experience God's comfort and guidance during that time? [31:19]
What practical steps can you take to demonstrate your trust in God's provision and protection, especially when it comes to managing your time and resources? [38:03]
How can you support and encourage others in your small group or community to find true rest in their relationship with God? [22:46]

Sermon Clips

1. "We established that that is the greatest invitation. That when God calls us, he calls us into a restful life. And last week, we saw that a restful life is not actually not doing anything, right? It's not just doing anything and sitting in the couch and enjoying life. But actually, it's doing the right thing in the right time with the right reason. So that we do not get bent out." [14:24] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Building trust is very important when it comes to rest. And today we are, you know, this is one of the cherished psalms that we all love. And, you know, it's one of the famous psalms that we all love. That the psalmist said, the Lord is my shepherd. That is a trusting relationship. The Lord is my shepherd. I, in other words, I am the shepherd. And God is my shepherd. Amen? And so when we have this trusting relationship, we live our lives like sheep at the still waters." [21:41] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "People are desperate to find rest. The gurus, the meditation apps that we find, the Reiki healers, the meditative mantras. All, everybody is finding a way to give people some rest in all this craziness of life. If you just Google the word relaxation in Google, you will find a lot of people. You will find the myriad of images. So many images will come to you. Because... And the YouTube links and the apps and everything. Because people are striving to live a restful life, a balanced life. Everybody wants to find rest." [22:46] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When we think about the sheep and have a picture of the sheep, you notice that they aren't very big animals, right? They don't have sharp teeth or large claws. They are defenseless. They run in large herds that need to be led to places for food and to be protected from predators. They are defenseless. That would kill them. And when God likings us as sheep, in fact, in our generation today, maybe we will think that, oh, we are lions. Or it's better to think of us as people that are, you know, an animal that is more, more strong. But God likens us as the sheep that really depends. It depends. Totally on the master, on the shepherd." [28:00] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "My God, there are times that you go through certain things in your life and you realize there are so many things that are challenging you. But in the midst of all that, when you are able to relay all your burdens to God, you find rest. You find rest. Because God will always answer you in God's own way. God will bring his answer for you. He will give you what you need at the right place in the right time. Amen. Amen. Let's give some praise to the Lord this morning. Amen." [30:19] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "So many people need comfort. There's so many evil in our world, so many things going on in our world that brings us into a place of depression and a place of confusion and a place of sadness. The loss of loved ones. We need. We need comfort. You know, I've been thinking through about the events that happened in Fort Lee on July 28th with the Lee family. How many of you have heard that story? It's so touching. It's so appalling. And it's very disheartening to hear that a young lady who is just 25 years old, 25 years old. She was having emotional or mental challenge and on that fateful, it was a Sunday, on that fateful Sunday, sometimes she has some episodes since 2017." [34:19] (79 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "So as we depend on God for a season of rest, I pray that we can slow down and not to be caught up in all the business of the world. It just goes beyond. It goes beyond time management. It is fully trusting God in all aspects of your life. Trusting God with your provisions. Trusting God for your protection. Trusting God to be with you. If we take time to worship God and slow down on Sundays while the rest of our competitors stay on, will God provide for us?" [36:45] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "I invite you to put full trust in the God who is the shepherd of your life. Amen. God is the shepherd of your life. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He has promised that when you go through the waters, I will be with you. When you go through the fire, I will be with you. The fire will not overcome you. The waters will not overcome you. You. He has promised in his. Word. That whatever we go through, he will be with us. And when we have that trusting relationship, we cast our burdens to him. We give our cares to him. And we are assured that he will protect us. He will provide for us." [39:34] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Paul said, I know in whom I have believed and I am persuaded that He is able and more than able to accomplish whatever concerns us. all have different concerns. We all have different needs and we are all in different seasons of our life. But what is constant is that we all have a good shepherd. Amen. And that shepherd promises to be with us throughout it all. I pray that wherever we go, may we be like the sheep that listens to the voice. He said, I know my sheep and my sheep also knows me. Whenever I talk, they hear my voice. Amen. May we be like the sheep and trust God who is the shepherd of our life." [59:16] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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