April 2005
By Lisa DeVries
Rest for the Soul

In times of hardship, whether from the trials of God or from the pain of sin, we face an opportunity to become acutely aware of our incompleteness apart from God. The battle to survive, cope, and change seems to envelope our increasingly fragile state. Our souls groan, symptoms arise in our bodies, and we may become spiritually parched. Psalm 63 tells us that we can acknowledge to God our desire for Him and the agony of this longing.
"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
When all things seem to fail, deceive and destroy, it is the Holy spring of water flowing over our vast desert that can begin to free us from sure dehydration of the soul. It is in that place of Holy rest that we are filled with an everlasting water to forever quench our incompleteness. We have the opportunity to bathe in the gentle mercy of the Lord, consuming His deep and faithful cup of life. In John 4:14, Jesus proclaims, "Whoever drinks the water I give him will become in Him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
Meaning can be found in the act of turning to the truth of God when in hard times. We face the challenge of embracing His love for us, believing His promises, and having faith in Him to deliver what He has said He would. When we struggle through these intense faith battles, we may discover our Lord, eager and willing to guide us to His place of rest.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

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