Ah, today is the Wednesday between Christmas and New Year’s Day. If you are not traveling on vacation, it is probably a day where things are slowing down a bit, perhaps a time to pause and rest, maybe even sleep in or take a nap. I hope you have some quiet time alone, take time to ponder, and allow God to guide your plans and goals for the new year. Relax and rest in Him. Sit in His Presence, open His Word, and allow it to speak to your heart.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you 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” (Matthew 11:28-29).

We can be encouraged in that we do not have to do life alone. God is with believers. His name Emmanuel means ‘God with us.’ In Him, we find strength and help with burdens as well as rest.

David wrote, “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him” (Psalm 62:1). He turned to God with His troubles in search for rest and found it.

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16).

True rest is a blessing from the Lord. On the night of Jesus’s birth, the angels praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

May God’s favor rest on you as you seek rest in Him!