All believers are called to do God’s work, but often as the Lord’s disciples and servants we just need some physical, emotional, and spiritual rest and refreshment. This is in addition to gathering to honor our Sabbath Rest—Jesus! Ministry is both challenging and rewarding; there are always needs to be met and messages of hope bathed in God’s love to be shared. We pour ourselves out as an offering of worship to the Lord.
For this reason, we need the Good Shepherd to lead us to a place of rest [nuakh—meaning to settle in], so we can receive and enjoy the restoration of our souls in the refreshing waters of the Spirit. We purposely pause to enjoy moments to be renewed as ordered by the Lord. We receive from our King and enjoy the tasty blessings from his Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Matthew 11:28-30). From this place of receiving we will start again. Our Shepherd always knows what we need when we need it; therefore, the Lord leads us into his blessings, so we will continue his work. Jesus came so that we might settle into him and enjoy the blessings of life found only under his rule! (John 10:10).
Yesterday, we reflected on Psalm 23 from the Old Testament about placing our confident trust in the Shepherd’s rule. Today, in our New Testament passage, we see the work of the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. He knows how to keep his sheep together and guard them from wandering from God. He teaches about nuakh, because he knows how to help each one in his care to enjoy the refreshment of the soul. So, settle in and enjoy life as you follow the Shepherd who loves and nourishes the whole you!
Mark 6:30-34 NLT Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
30 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. 31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
32 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. 33 But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. 34 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for leading us to quiet places to enjoy the refreshing waters of Kingdom life. We require the rest you offer and all we need to do is follow you to the pastures you have ordered for refreshment and settle in. You truly are the Rewarder of those who diligently seek you. Thank you, Lord! In Jesus’ name. Amen.