The other morning the Lord reminded me of this picture that was taken six years ago. Let me give you the back story.
Our youngest daughter and family had come to visit for the weekend. We had been playing and going non-stop for 2 days. Our granddaughter was two at the time. She was having so much fun, she didn’t want to quit but we knew she needed rest. I got her to sit in my lap while her mother and I visited at the kitchen table.
She would fuss, squirm, try to get down but I held her close. Eventually, she fell asleep and got the rest she so desperately needed.
About 30 years before that her mother was the one who needed the rest. She had awakened in the middle of the night and cried out. I got up and tried to comfort her while she was still in her crib. That didn’t work, so I picked her up and carried her to the living room where I tried to rock her back to sleep. Sleep didn’t come, instead she strained in my arms trying to get me to carry her to another room. We went to the kitchen but she wasn’t content there. On to the family room; no, that wasn’t the place either. We made it back to the living room where I sat down, she cuddled in and I rocked her to sleep.
I said a soft prayer. “Lord, this is where we started. Why couldn’t she have just rested here to begin with?” To that, the Holy Spirit ministered to my heart, “and why can’t you be content when I tell you to rest?”
Ouch!
The Lord doesn’t want us to be stressed, anxious, exhausted, dismayed or consumed with worry. He wants us to rest in Him.
“ For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].” Hebrews 2:18 AMPC
Just like an attentive mother, Jesus has made Himself available to run to our cry – to assist and relieve us in time of trouble.
“For thus says the Lord: Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; then you will be nursed, you will be carried on her hip and trotted [lovingly bounced up and down] on her [God’s maternal] knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” Isaiah 66:12-13 AMPC
Peace and comfort!
“Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself—it tends only to evildoing.” Psalm 37:7-8 AMPC
The Lord longs to comfort us as a mother with her child. We need to let Him hold us tight, cuddle in and receive comfort. Be still – rest – and fret not! Be grateful for His comfort!