Jesus is our only true Resting Place. During different seasons of our lives, we can become overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, sad, or even depressed. This is particularly upsetting when we want to love the Lord, enjoy Him, and bless those around us. This plan is designed to be a very practical help to reclaim our joy, peace, and witness during these difficult times.
Thistlebend Ministries
Day 1
Scriptures: Isaiah 9:6-7, Colossians 1:15-19, Galatians 2:20, John 14:1, Matthew 5:48, Matthew 4:23, Isaiah 28:29
Jesus is our one and only true resting place. He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
Our Wonderful Counselor
We find rest in Jesus no matter what is going on in us or around us because He is the Wonderful Counselor. Wonderful is a word that has lost its full meaning in modern-day use. Wonderful, in Isaiah’s day, meant glorious, beautiful, and excellent beyond comprehension. Consider that in Christ all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, in Him all things hold together, and in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
As the Wonderful Counselor, we can rest in His most wonderful, excellent, wise, and loving counsel. He not only knows the way, He is the way, the truth, and the life! He made the way where there was no way. He laid down His life for His own. This love is so far beyond our understanding of wonderful, it is beyond our comprehension. At any moment of any day or night, we can draw near to Him and He will draw near to us. He is our wonderful, safe, and comforting resting place.
What does it mean practically for us in the nitty-gritty of our moment of need? Because He is a perfect, all-seeing, all-wise, all-knowing, and tender-loving counselor who knows us intimately and completely, when we go to Him there is little we have to explain. It is often helpful for us to tell Him how we feel, what we think, or what is happening to us. He knows everything, all that has been done to us, all we have done or said, our current circumstances emotions, worries, weaknesses, and sins… He knows you!
There is never a moment when His schedule is too full or He is disinterested. He is always there. He listens without missing a detail or misunderstanding what you mean when you bring your burdens or your broken heart to Him. He has the perfect counsel, the perfect Word at the perfect time.
Our rest is most complete when we believe that He is the Wonderful Counselor.
Jesus is your resting place: Draw near to Him. Bring your burdens to Him. Entrust each and every detail to Him. He has it all, including you, and the outcome in His hands! He can comfort and heal your heart!
Day 2
Scriptures: Isaiah 9:6-7, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 19:16, Daniel 4:35, Romans 8:1, 1 John 4:18, Psalms 32:7
Mighty God
In this passage, the term used for “God” is taken from the Hebrew root, “El”, which means strength. Isaiah adds the adjective “mighty” to portray the omnipotence of Christ—His magnificent deity and His position as first and foremost.
Charles Spurgeon writes, “Christ is indeed called at this day, and shall be called to the end of the world, “the mighty God.” His name is above every name. Who can control the hand of the One who is Lord of lords and the King of kings? What is there that our mighty, omnipotent God cannot do? There is nothing He cannot do! He has unlimited power and authority.”
When we are feeling weak, overwhelmed, misunderstood, or anxious, Jesus is our resting place. He is almighty! He is all-powerful! He does have the whole world in His hands. We can completely rest knowing He will take care of everything. He always has and He always will.
Everlasting Father
Historically, the role of a father of a family was to protect and provide for his wife and children. Isaiah prophesied that the Child who was to be born, would not only be King but would also be the Father to the children of Israel. His role as protector and provider would be, for now, and for eternity. As the Messiah, His ultimate protection and provision for His family would be through His death, burial, and resurrection on their behalf. When we become a part of His family we place our trust in Christ and look to Him to forgive our sins, provide our salvation, and protect us from the wrath we so deserve.
When we are overwhelmed by our sins and failures Jesus is our resting place. We find the rest we need knowing that He has done what we could not do. He paid the debt of sin we could not pay. Our sins have been accounted for. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. There is now no fear because the Lord has covered our sin and our punishment has been borne by Him.
Jesus is your resting place: Draw near to Him. Bring every fear and every sin to Him. He is able and has taken care of it all. He has you and He has the outcome in His hands!
Day 3
Scriptures: Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 26:3, John 14:27, Zechariah 9:9-10, 1 Peter 1:6-7
Prince of Peace
Lord, you tell us that you keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.
Throughout history, the armies of men might win a fierce battle or a great conquest, but only our true King, the Prince of Peace, can vanquish an enemy once and for all. Our Prince is our resting place. He has overcome all and because of this we need not be afraid of any evil, disease, fire, weather, or war.
Confident in God and His goodness we need not fear any misfortune nor any enemy. Many difficulties, trials, and tribulations may come, but we can rest secure with our hearts fixed and firmly established in Christ. The outcome has already been settled. We can trust in our Lord, the one and only true place of rest. He is our rock and our hiding place now and forevermore.
Because of Christ, and His love for us, our hope is sure. We were once sinners, enemies with God, but God demonstrated His love for us that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. We now have peace with God and we have Christ who is our peace!
Relationships, circumstances, emotions, thoughts, and attitudes may come and “rob us” of our joy and peace, but this is not reality. No one can rob us of peace, because we have been given peace in Christ. He is in us and we are in Him—the Prince of Peace!
God is with us through the Holy Spirit, the Helper who promises to guide us, help us, and give us the power to live and enjoy peace and love through Him.
Therefore, we need not be afraid of evil tidings. We can run to Him whenever we are afraid. We can be entirely confident in God’s goodness towards us, because of Christ. He is for us and not against us!
Jesus is your resting place: Draw near to Him. Bring your fears, anxieties, battles, and enemies to Him. You can rest in Him knowing that He has fought your battles. He fought your biggest battle. He died for you and you are no longer an enemy of God but have peace with Him. Christ fights for you.