Notes of Faith July 26, 2025
The Summer Retreat: God’s Presence
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
The teacher of a large women’s Bible study in a major metropolitan city decided to take the summer off: no quiet time, no Bible reading, and no prayer life for the entire summer. When September rolled around, she found herself more miserable than she had ever been in her life.
Summer can be a great time for restoring strength and energy. But what is the best way to do that? When the psalmists were burdened and busy, they found rejuvenation by spending time in the presence of God, not by avoiding His presence: “My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” (Psalm 84:2). “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [elsewhere]” (Psalm 84:10). If you have lost your joy and the pleasures of the Christian life, consider David’s words: “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
Consider this summer as an opportunity to accept Jesus’ invitation: “Come to Me...and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Anxious care is out of place in our heavenly Father’s presence.
Kenneth Wuest
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
I have not met a person taking time off or retired who has said that they are more rested than they were before the time off or retirement. But Jesus is speaking of spiritual burdens. The Jews were taught that they could earn salvation by keeping the Law, when what is true is that no one can keep the whole Law except Jesus! We must look to Jesus and His completed work on the cross bringing forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God, by His grace through His gift of faith. I pray that you believe in Jesus and His work, not your own, to provide a righteousness acceptable to God. You will indeed find spiritual rest, when you trust in Jesus, follow Him, obedient to His Word. His grace and mercy are far above any amount of work we might consider worthy of sacrifice to God. Be abundantly blessed in the saving grace of Jesus!
Pastor Dale