Rest

En Gedi, Israel

God knows we need rest. He made the whole world in six days and rested on the seventh. Even the God of the universe rested. En Gedi is an oasis in the Judean desert east of the Dead Sea. David rested there when he was running for his life from King Saul. I rested there. After climbing a rocky mountain path, the cool splash of a waterfall refreshed me. The sounds of children’s laughter ignited joy in my heart. Like David, I wanted to stay. I wanted to hide in this high mountain paradise.

David used metaphors from En Gedi to describe his refuge in our Lord. “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7).

Have you ever felt afraid, overwhelmed or in despair? Sometimes God provides a mountain top hiding place to refresh you. Maybe it’s an oasis like En Gedi. Maybe it’s a spiritual awakening or an emotional peace. David left the sanctuary of En Gedi to become king of Israel. God wants us to move on too–to serve Him and others. Is there someone you know who needs refreshment or encouragement? Jesus said, “Come to me all 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). Will you tell somebody?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the rest and peace we have in you. Help us not to linger in our rest, but to use it to renew our strength to do what you have called us to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Streams in the Desert

En Gedi

Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, through the Red Sea on dry ground, and into the desert. Day after day they trudged in the hot, dry ground, and they complained. They complained a lot, but mostly about the scarcity of water and food. “Did you bring us out here to die?” they asked Moses. They reflected on the abundance of food and water in Egypt. Did they forget the hard, exhausting work and abuse of slavery?

The picture is taken of En Gedi near the Dead Sea. Streams of water seem to gush from the rocks. Actually the water comes from high mountain springs to this natural oasis. It is located in the Negev and is the wilderness where John the Baptist preached and where Jesus was tempted by the devil after John baptized Him in the Jordan River. It was a refuge for David when he ran for his life from King Saul. It was a refreshing refuge for me too.

Life takes each of us through periods in the wilderness of suffering, sorrow, loss or anxiety. Memories of my time at En Gedi remind me that tough times don’t last. God is faithful to refresh my soul, calm the storms and empower me to accomplish more than I could ever dream possible. He does that as I read His word, and as I spend time in prayer. He has become my best Friend. Sometimes when I don’t know what to pray, I just say, “I love you, Lord,” or “Thank you, Jesus,” or “Help me, Jesus.”

God has become my En Gedi, my refuge, my fortress and hiding place. I feel protected in the shelter of His presence. This security can be yours too. Say the name of “Jesus,” and experience His nearness. He is faithful. He is always with you and will never abandon you.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for places of refuge and times of refreshment. Thank you for your comfort, counsel and peace. Thank you that you are always with us and you will never leave us alone. Help us not to be afraid but to look to you in troubling times. In Jesus’ name, Amen.