Topic: Exchange Your Restlessness for God’s Peace [RICK WARREN Devotional 8 JANUARY 2023]
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Exchange Your Restlessness for God’s Peace
BY RICK WARREN — JANUARY 8, 2023
FROM LIVING IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD
“It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest.”
Psalm 127:2 (TLB)
Did you know that sheep don’t like to lie down? And people are just like them! But if you don’t choose to slow down, God will make you lie down.
Living life God’s way means that you take time to rest. That’s not just a right way to live; it’s also the only healthy way to live.
Psalm 127:2 says, “It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest” (TLB).
God wants you to give up your tendency to roam, to wander, to veer off course. Restlessness leads to exhaustion—to physical, emotional, and spiritual fatigue. And you need more than sleep to cure those last two.
One of the Hebrew names of God is Jehovah Shalom, which means “I am the God of peace.” Jesus says in John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (NLT).
If God says he is offering you the gift of peace, then he means it. It’s not something you have to work for. It’s not something you deserve. It’s not something you beg for. It is simply a gift that you must choose to accept, and it’s available to you today.
Here’s a paraphrase of how Jesus said it: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30 The Message).
Jesus says that when you follow him, he will lighten your load. You can rest in his promise!
Talk It Over
- Having God’s peace does not equal problem-free living. How is it possible to have peace in the midst of your problems?
- Taking a nap might be the most spiritual thing you can do today. What keeps you from being able to take the rest you need, even if it is just a short rest?
- Confess to God what’s caused you to overwork so that you can be healthy instead of stressed.
Are you ready to find rest in God? The first step toward rest is to make peace with God by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You can start with this simple prayer:
“Dear God, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. You have promised that if I believe in Jesus, you’ll forgive me for everything I’ve ever done wrong, you’ll show me the purpose of my life, and you’ll accept me into your family and bring me to heaven one day to live with you for eternity.
“Jesus, I confess my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I ask you to come into my life as my Lord. Today, I commit my life to you.
“I want to live the way you created me to live—at peace and rested—and to use the remainder of my life to serve you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
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