We’ve taken several weeks for this lesson on rest, but it was for a
specific reason I waited until the end of the year to share the final part of this series Ten Biblical Reasons for Rest and Relaxation.
It was to prepare you for greater things as Jesus said, which leads us
to the tenth reason rest is vital in receiving favor from the Lord.
Thanks for joining us on Daily Favor
Blog.
Reason
10 – Rest Rekindles Our Vision
(with Miracle Favor)
Resting
physically and spiritually leads us into worship. When we spend time in worship it develops
fellowship and trust with the Lord, which enables the vision He placed in us to
be birthed or reignited.
Rest
allows our minds to think better and brings clarity to the vision that is
within our hearts. I’d like to walk you
through how the plan of God is established through rest, belief, fellowship
with Him and abundant favor!
Our
lesson will take us to the past in order to see the future.
O
Little Town of Bethlehem
With
Thanksgiving falling later in the season, it seems that Christmas has been
rushed having less time to plan and gather our thoughts. From what I’ve been hearing and witnessing,
people are keeping it simple this year due to their lack of time to prepare and
sheer exhaustion.
Feelings
of anxiety and stress over events forthcoming isn’t new to mankind. When
we think back on the first Christmas, how much rest did anyone really get?
Looking
through the hourglass of time past, I can image the streets of Bethlehem
bustling with travelers from the corners of the earth, making their way into
the city in obedience to pay their taxes.
Street vendors, innkeepers, herdsmen, trades personnel, iron smiths, shops,
and townsmen were about to experience their version of Black Friday.
We
first learn about this small village called Ephrathah otherwise known as
Bethlehem, in Genesis 35:19 where Jacob buried his favored wife Rachel. It
was later mentioned by the prophet Micah when he foretold that a Messiah would
come from a small town that was tucked away between much larger territories.
“But
you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah (referred to as House of Bread), are only a small
village among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the
distant past.
And
He will stand to lead His flock with the LORD’s strength, in the majesty of the
name of the LORD His God. Then His
people will live there undisturbed, for He will be Highly honored (favored)
around the world. And He will be the
source of peace.” (Micah 5:2-5 NLT)
The
prophet had vision for greater things that he couldn’t understand, but hoped
for by faith. God gave Micah favor into
seeing what was to come seven hundred years in the future because of his
fellowship with Him.
Micah’s
prophecy of the birth of Jesus is one of the most vivid pictures of the Prince
of Peace to come as described in chapter 5 verse 5.
Over
and over throughout the scriptures we keep reading about this little town that
may have seemed rather insignificant, but in reality, it was a well-spring that
surrounding areas desired then and still do today. Besides being able to grow an abundance of olives
for the oil supplied to the temple, Bethlehem played a key role in the citizens
having to return to their birth place for the census.
The Birth of Living
Water
There
was one huge problem that we learn from scriptures – Bethlehem is indeed small
in size, therefore, when travelers came places to stay filled up quickly
sending them to surrounding areas. This
led to additional issues that had nothing to do with the little town.
Did
you know that Bethlehem’s natural aquifer is the mainstay for all sources of
water for Israel? It was then and is the
same in this modern age. Located near
the Dead Sea (which means Sea of Salt as mentioned in Genesis 14:3), its name
is true to what it produces. Nothing is alive
in this body of water, nor is it drinkable.
However,
during King Hezekiah's reign he had underground
water tunneled into Jerusalem in case they ever were under siege by the Assyrians
and they blocked the Gihon Spring water source.
Their water could not be used for drinking, because it was contaminated
from the blood streaming from the sacrifices in the temple. For anything or anyone to survive fresh water
had to be imported from somewhere, and that place was Bethlehem.
The
fact is, they needed a place that geographically was higher and supplied a
clean water supply for the people, animals and vegetation. Bethlehem sits on an enormous aquifer and was
built specifically on a hill top to fit that need for where “Living Water”
could flow.
What
man would do through Hezekiah to sustain life for the human side, God would
provide spiritually supplying eternal Living Water through the birth of Jesus.
Both the prophets Ezekiel and Zechariah spoke of such things to come.
“And
in that day, it shall be that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, half of
them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the western sea. In both summer and winter, it shall occur.”
(Zechariah 14:8)
“He
who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers
of Living Water.” (John 7:38)
Throughout
the years the aquifer would also provide natural springs of water for the
animals. Shepherds found that by staying
in a particular place in the fields during springtime, the sheep could feed and
be watered allowing their caregivers to tend to other important matters. A period of rest was surely welcome.
"The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures (of tender grass). He leads me beside the still waters (of rest). He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake." (Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV)
Almond,
fig and olive trees provided a wealth of free food for the herdsmen while
living in empty caves as King David did when hiding from Saul. This accounts for the stable being empty and
available for Joseph and Mary at the time of their “springtime” arrival (sorry
folks – not December, but that’s for another lesson).
It
also gives us insight to the plan of God for a Savior and what needed to be in
place for it to happen through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus
Christ. Everything revolved around God’s
vision and it being established in the earth resting on His timing.
Believe
and Obey Immediately
God
knows everything and that includes all that pertains to your life from
beginning to end! He knows where things and
people need to be so that future events can take place. All that will take place in this world revolves
around Jesus, from the very beginning to the last person who will ever walk the
face of this earth. We are woven in the
fabric of God’s plan to bring us back to Him.
Every
detail and event had/has a purpose from God.
Nothing is by chance, fate or for no reason.
The
building of the Temple and all that revolved around it had to already be in
existence for the time God would send His Son to earth through the Virgin Mary. It may not seem like a big deal now, but even
the water system had to be in place for Herod the Great to build pools around
the outer parts of Jerusalem, in which later during Jesus’ adult ministry He would heal
a blind man giving “vision” physically and spiritually. (John 9:7)
It
was during that encounter that Jesus healed on the Sabbath, which was
designated as a day of rest from what God set in motion in the book of Genesis. He demonstrated how God created a day of rest (the Sabbath) for man as a gift for restoration, and that man was not created for the Sabbath.
The babe Messiah that was to be born in Bethlehem would
grow in favor to teach the differences between spiritual and physical blindness
when it comes to the lessons on “rest” and obedience to the Heavenly Father.
From
the living waters of Bethlehem came Living Waters of instruction on how to obey
immediately and receive healing favor from the Lord in every aspect of life. If we read the account of the blind man, we
learn that he believed who Jesus was by obeying His command. He received healing and worshiped Christ for
who He was – God the Son, the Anointed One.
“Yes,
Lord, I believe!” the man said, and he worshiped Jesus.” (John
9:38 NLT)
Finding
Rest Not Only at Christmas
When
we examine the biblical reasons for rest it’s easy to see how they all tie in
with one another, and relate to receiving the best from the Lord.
Taking
the effort to get away and rest from regular schedules is vital if we are to
have quiet time with the Lord so that we can hear from Him. As we grow in fellowship our hearts become
humbled, building our faith and trust in our Creator.
We
become valuable servants to God and those around us as we learn to walk in
agreement with Him. Our spirit is more discerning
to the voice of the Holy Spirit, teaching us to walk in love as we trust Him for
the outcome of each situation.
The
stress valve is released as we cast our cares on the Lord, trusting Him to receive
the grace (favor) needed for each situation.
Our hope and joy are restored as we rest on God’s Word, worshiping Him
in spirit and in truth not only during stressful times, but in everything. This is what He is looking for in us; this is
what God rewards through kindness and favor.
“But
the time is coming – indeed it’s here now – when true worshipers will worship
the Father in spirit and in truth. The
Father in Heaven is looking for those who will worship Him that way.” (John
4:23 NLT)
With
all the clutter removed there is room for God to restore, rebuild and rekindle
the vision He placed inside us from birth, just as He did with Jesus. He was born to die, that we might live!
“The
thief (satan) comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they (anyone who believes
in Jesus, the Son of God) may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to
the full, till it overflows).” (John 10:10 AMP emphasis mine)
Tidings
of Great Joy
My
friend, let me extend to you the “tidings of great joy” message of the angel
Gabriel that was given over 2,000 years ago.
Everything you will ever need for your life is already in place, just as
God prepared a place for baby Jesus in the little town of Bethlehem.
However,
if you never spend time with the One who set things in order for you to receive
the grace on your life for His favor, you will never experience the best He has
ordained for you. Now where is the joy
in that?
Scriptures
tell of a Messiah that would come to save and set people free. A
King who would rule and reign forever, reconciling the breach between God and
man.
Their
hope was for a King that would deliver them from all bondage – spiritually,
physically and financially.
He
would bring freedom that could give them true rest as they trusted on Him to
deliver them from their fears and sin.
He would restore their joy as they place their trust in Him resting on
and in His Word as Holy.
Mary
rested and had peace over what God had planned to happen through her. She received the plan by faith and because
she said yes to God, He showed her favor her entire life.
Immediately
after she heard what God wanted to do through her she worshiped Him, despite what
others would say or do to her. From the
very beginning Mary knew the plan. She allowed
God to do something miraculous in her life.
He wants to do the same in you.
There
isn’t anything more God has to do for your miracle to be birthed. He’s waiting
on you to say, “Let it be done unto me”.
This
Week’s Challenge:
Let
God Birth a
Miracle in You
So,
there you have it – I’ve given you ten reasons for Biblical rest, but obeying
God is #1! An abundant life is what’s at
risk for not obeying the laws of God for good health, which includes getting
rest for your spirit, mind and body.
No
longer does mankind have to wait on God for a Messiah who would deliver us from
our fears and sin. Emmanuel has come to
live among us. His name is Jesus. Let us find our rest in Him.
We’re
heading into a new era - not only a new year, but a new decade! Are you willing to sit back and wait another ten
years for your vision to come to pass?
God’s
plan for something good was ordained from before you were born; only He can
reveal to you what that is so that favor can be released at the right time.
My
challenge to you:
From
this day on put your trust in Christ (read more about that here). Rest on His Word to guide you spiritually and
physically filling you with Living Water.
Stop
fretting and worrying, it will delay your hearing clearly from God. Focus on receiving 20/20 vision with clarity
and favor for the future.
Learn
to rely on time spent with God in fellowship for answers, wisdom, understanding,
knowledge and guidance from His Holy Spirit.
Expect Daily Favor to surround you, and you will prosper in all things
as your soul does eternally rekindling the vision for your life as you worship
His Holy name.
As
we turn our thoughts and heart to Christ at this Holy time of the year, this is
my prayer:
“Let
the blessings of the Lord as given to Joseph rest in and on you, with the
precious things of the earth, including the fullness of His Daily Favor and
goodwill. May God who dwelt in the bush,
crown and distinguish you apart from others as you joyfully rest upon His
mighty promises.
May
God birth 2020 vision for your life so that you prosper in all things and be
in good health, just as your soul prospers eternally with His Miracle Living
Water.”
Until next time, believe God for renewed vision favor!
“Rest on My vision for miracle favor.”
- Jesus Christ
Note:
Prayer from the blessings in Deuteronomy 33 and 1 John 1:2 Amplified Bible.
*Unless
noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s)
privacy.
Note:
When used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because
we give him no place in our lives.
Disclaimer:
Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical
issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
What’s
New This Series: Click on link.
by Robert Morris (hardcover; 224 pages)
Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to
have this kind of favor in your life also. Click on the above tab “Tell Me About Jesus” for more information on
becoming a child of the Savior.
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Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible
Version provided by Bible Gateway.
Image credit: Google Images Creative Common License if not
specified.
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