Read
Joshua Ch 22: 1-4
Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh 2 and said to them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. 3 For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you. 4 Now that the Lord your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan.
Think
It’s good to hear the words, ‘You’ve done a good job, go home and rest.’ It’s good to hear, ‘You’ve earned a holiday.’ It’s good to enter a well earned rest.
Back in Numbers 32 the people were on the edge of the promised land, and two tribes said that, actually, this land right here looks just perfect for us. They were allowed to settle there on one condition – they don’t get to rest until they’ve helped their brothers and sisters clear out their enemies on the other side of the river.
There’s a land waiting for you – but you don’t get to settle down until the work is finished. Things might be sorted for you, but you don’t get to kick back while there is work for the rest of the family.
There is a rest for us. Rest now, every day, as we lay our burdens on Jesus and find his peace in all seasons – but a better and ultimate rest when we go to be with him, and when he returns to make all things new. Do you follow him? Keep pressing on. Fight the good fight of faith. Fix your eyes on Jesus who endured all for the joy set before him – and God above all is the joy set before us.
Look after yourself – eat right, take holidays, get some sleep – but for as long as you have breath, don’t lose your passion to live every day for Jesus. The day is coming when you will see him and hear his words – ‘well done good and faithful servant – enter into the joy of your Master.’
Pray
Father, thank you for the rest you give us every day. Thank you for the victories you have won and the good gifts you have given us – for sleep and food and days off and for the gift of knowing you.
Help us to live lives of balance – knowing when to sleep and when to wake, when to stop and when to press on, when you’re telling us to slow down and when you’re telling us to dig deep and find strength in you we never expected.
Help us to live with that greater rest set before us, and so to live every day to make much of you here until you call us home.
Amen
