FINDING REST

DAY 348 OF 365 IN 2021

Zephaniah 3:13 The Israelites who remain will not act deceitfully. They will not lie, and a deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouth. Indeed, they will graze peacefully like sheep and lie down; no one will terrify them."

When sheep, cattle and other ruminants go grazing, they seem to consume a large amount of food rather quickly without proper chewing. Hence, they need periods of rest to regurgitate and chew up properly. This is possible only in the presence of rest with no disturbance.

Thus, in a field where sheep are constantly attacked by predators or have their skin infested with parasites, there is a constant tethering on the edge. An uneasiness that rids them of rest and by so doing, lying down after grazing becomes a privilege. However, for these animals, lying down is a necessity because then there is a risk of suffering complications otherwise.

The Amplified version renders the words of the prophet Isaiah as follows:
‘You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]”(26:3)
The text above offers us the condition within which lying down after grazing is guaranteed.

Beloved, there is something about the hearts of men when all their needs are met, when they are in a place of rest with no worries. From a place where like sheep, we can graze and lie down, our fears dissipate and our hearts can incline to God as the dear pants for water. That is why His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, that way, we can find rest in Him.

#sly