Old Testament: Job 11 & 12
Poetry: Psalm 36
New Testament: John 16
There are few moments as peaceful as gazing at the stars on a clear evening. While it is easy to feel insignificant as you consider expanse and distance of space, it can, ironically, make you feel closer and connected. I contemplate how Abraham looked at the same stars as a promise of a nation, David pondered the same heavens in the Psalms, and wise men looked to the same sky to follow the sign that a Savior had been born. While this backdrop has slightly changed since its inception from God, it is a constant source of contemplation of our Creator.
“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” – Psalm 36:5, 7
How wonderful to know that our God’s love reaches to the heavens. It literally can find us up in a plane, on a rocket, or wherever the technology of our generation takes us; moreover, his love reaches as far as the heavens, meaning it can find us in any location at any time. The same is true for his faithfulness. It endures in any situation, setting, or circumstance. This combination creates not only a love that can find us, but also a love that can sustain us. The Love of God is our refuge. He is our shelter from the storm and the sustenance through scarcity. Jesus Christ speaks to the weariness of living in the present evil age when he pleaded, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burden, and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28).” In the ransom of our Savior, and in the comfort of the Spirit of God, we can find rest.
“”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Rest isn’t shut-eye. It isn’t “me” time. Finding rest in the unfailing love of God means spending time walking and talking with our Father. If you want rest, set your alarm a few minutes early to pray over your day and your mission field. If you want rest, offer praise to God in the middle of the night in the exhaustion of new parenthood. If you want rest, spend your break at work reading a devotion. If you want rest, ask for direction in your next steps under the stars. Even though we are guaranteed trouble in this life, when we live in the shadow of our God, we can solace in His enduring love in any time, in any condition, and in any place.
-Aaron Winner
Reflection Questions
- What do you already know about the stars and heavens God has created? You might enjoy doing even just a few minutes of research on the stars. What impresses you most about the starry night sky God created?
- Have you experienced the rest and peace Jesus the Son of God offers? If you have, how would you explain it to someone who hasn’t? If you haven’t, how can you put yourself in a position to come to Jesus, listen to him and receive his peace and rest?
- How can you arrange your day – and night – to find more opportunities to find rest in the unfailing love of God?
(I am sorry this is arriving so late in your email inbox. I thought I had published this morning – but apparently had shut the computer before it completed. My apologies.)
Seek Grow Love 