Thank you, thank you for sharing your thoughts and hearts the last few days as we reflected on all we learned as a community during our advent study. What a blessing it has been to read your words!
As we prepare to begin A Fresh Start, our first reading plan of the New Year, let’s turn our heart toward the Lord and rest in His presence and truth.
Today, let’s read Psalm 127:1-2, two little verses with so much to say.
Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalm 127:1-2, ESV
I don’t know about you today, Sisters, but I am building frantically. I am laboring hard. I am staying up late and getting up early and I am oh so anxious. I need this truth today. I need this rest that only our God of grace can give. And I am so thankful He gives it!
Father, build our house. Father, watch over our city. Father, give us sweet sleep, true rest and surpassing peace as we seek you, find you, and trust in you alone. Amen.
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Sisters, we are so excited to start our next reading plan with you!
A Fresh Start begins on Monday, January 6. Look for the introductory post on Sunday, January 5.
Meanwhile, join us back here tomorrow as we meditate on more words from the Psalms. May God richly bless you with rest and peace today.
I wasn't sure what the Lord wanted to teach me today. So often I feel like my reading is so random. But when I saw you had devotions on rest I knew the Spirit was leading me here. These two little verses have already said so much. I know I'm not up to date on your writings but THANK YOU!
Thanks sisters for sharing. The key words I have picked out from Today’s study – in the midst of my planning n doing to ensure I achieve my goals in this new year, if God is not the architect of the plan, then I am labouring in vain. Help me Lord not to labour in vain. Thanks SRT, ure a big blessing to my life!
I'm a little unclear on how to apply this lesson in my life. I struggle with anxiety and stress just like everyone else; it's not uncommon for me to have dreams involving work projects. But I certainly could never be accused of not physically resting. My family has joked that I must have sleeping sickness for my entire life. Maybe for me this lesson applies to my emotional rest? I could certainly be accused of being a chronic worry wart. I worry about the aspects of my finances, relationships, and future that are well beyond my control, when instead I should be trusting in God's plan. I need to pray on this one.
I have been challenged through God's Word and my quiet time to learn to "Be Still". It is easier said than done. I keep singing "Be Still" by The Fray.
Oh my! I've been out all day, running around and wasn't sure if I would "get enough time" to read up on SRT tonight (smh, convicted! lol), but WOW am I glad I did! Those 2 verses are just what I needed! That is my goal for this year, to REST. To REST in CHRIST and stop relying on myself. Everything without him is done in vain. I was completely convicted when I heard my new favorite song, "Restless" by Audrey Assad. I will post the lyrics below.
"Restless" by Audrey Assad
You dwell in the songs that we are singing,
Rising to the Heavens, rising to Your heart, Your heart.
Our praises filling up the spaces
In between our frailty and everything You are
You are the keeper of my heart
And I'm restless, I'm restless
'Til I rest in You, 'til I rest in You
I am restless, I'm restless
'Til I rest in You, 'til I rest in You
Oh God, I wanna rest in You
Oh, speak now for my soul is listening
Say that You have saved me, whisper in the dark, the dark.
'Cause I know You're more than my salvation
Without you I am hopeless, tell me who You are
You are the keeper of my heart
You are the keeper of my heart
And I'm restless, I'm restless
'Til I rest in You, 'til I rest in You
I am restless, I'm restless
'Til I rest in You, 'til I rest in You, Oh
I wanna rest in You
Still my heart, hold me close
Let me hear, a still small voice
Let it grow, let it rise
Into a shout, into a cry
Still my heart, hold me close
Let me hear, a still small voice
Let it grow, let it rise
Into a shout, into a cry
And I am restless, I'm restless
'Til I rest in You, let me rest in You
And I am restless, so restless
'Til I rest in You, 'til I rest in You, Oh God
Let me rest in You.
I definitely needed these verses today. For all that I feel ready in my heart and mind to take on this year, I know that I need the Lord as my carpenter. As much I as am ready to take on new opportunities, chances, and risks, I know I need the Lord to build the house He wants me to live in. I need to live gently as I pursue a new job and new opportunities to build community in my personal life. I need to remember that all will unfold for me as He wants it to, as long as I continue to give my plans and my desires to Him. There is no need for stress or anxiety. I thirst for a new life with Him as my compass but I don't have to work myself into the ground to make it happen. I can start where I am and allow our Lord to build my new house.
Beautifully put. And Amen to that! God be with you, Lauren C. X
After reading these verses, I ask myself the question, "Lord, what am I building, watching over, and toiling after that you are not wanting me to build, watch over, or toil after?" I pray that He'd show all of us what is unnecessary baggage and toil today and the days to come. I pray that as He works with us to let go of unnecessary things, He'd help us to rest and dwell in his peaceful safety. Watch over all of us today, Lord; speak, and have your servants listen.
Love you all. Blessings to all of you. x
I really like your application! There are many things that I am building, watching over, and toiling after. The Lord wants to build my home the way He wants it to be. He wants me to allow Him to watch over my children, and He wants me to rest in Him. Psalm 23. So blessed with your insight, AnnaLee :)