Seize the Moment - Day 912 - First Baptist Church

Seize the Moment – Day 912

Posted on Sep 15, 2022 by Jerry Ingalls in Devotions, General |

Rest on Every Side!

Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, September 15. Please join me in wishing a happy birthday to Layla McKnight.

Do you struggle to rest? Whether it is getting good sleep, turning off your worry, living at peace with your family, being content at work, or ceasing your ambition, do you struggle to enter God’s rest (Hebrews 4:11)?

In 1 Chronicles 18, David set out to secure Israel’s borders on every side – from the west (Philistines in verse 1) to the east (Moabites in verse 2), and from the north (Aramites in verses 3-8) to the south (Edomites in verses 12-13). Within his borders, David sought to administer God’s government, as summarized in 1 Chronicles 18:14,

“So David reigned over all Israel; and he administered justice and righteousness for all his people.”

The word selection of “justice and righteousness,” used to describe David’s rule, “represents the ideal standards for legal and ethical behavior and an ideal for kingship modeled on the righteousness of Yahweh.”^[1] David’s kingship was being exalted by the Chronicler. Furthermore, he connected David’s kingdom with God’s promise of rest, which comes with the Promised Land, as stated in Joshua 21:44,

“And the Lord gave them rest on every side” (cf. Joshua 1:13).

Are you experiencing the righteous rule of King Jesus and his gracious offer of “rest for your soul” (Matthew 11:28-30)? Is the peace of God which surpasses all human comprehension guarding your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7)?

With God’s help, you can experience rest on every side of your life! Twice, in 1 Chronicles 18:6 & 13, the Chronicler emphasized that it was the Lord who was helping King David, “And the Lord helped David wherever he went.” In the same way, today, it is Jesus Christ, the Son of David, who brings His kingdom of “justice and righteousness” into your life – rest in Him.

Seize the moment and diligently strive to enter the rest offered to you through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:11; Matthew 11:28-30).

God bless you!

If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.

YOUTUBE:

If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.

Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016), Je 22:3.

Seize the Moment – Day 912