Divine Rest in Times of Trouble

When you think of "rest", what comes to mind?

Maybe cozying up to a good book on a slow rainy day while wearing your comfiest pajamas, dozing in and out of a nap. Or maybe going on a vacation where all electronics are turned off, allowing you to unplug in God's creation in time of prayer and meditation of Scripture. Maybe you think of sitting down at the dinner table with your family, and enjoying a delicious and nutritious meal after a long day at work.

While all of these forms of rest are valid, and even Biblical (1 Kings 19:5-8,  Mark 1:25, Matthew 1:23),  the deepest rest that we can experience depends less on an activity (or the refraining from an activity) and more on a full reliance in the nature of, character of, and promises of God. When God's nature is so imprinted on our hearts, and when God's promises are so etched into our minds, even in the thick of trauma, tragedy, distress, or taxing daily responsibilities, we can experience a deep rest in the LORD at a soul level.

Let's breakdown the nature of, and promises of God, that lead to divine inner rest, even amidst external chaos.

Nature of God

God is providentially in control.  There is not a single event, thought, feeling, or activity that God is not aware of or providentially involved in (Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3, Psalm 115:3, Isaiah 46:10, Psalm 104:19, Psalm 74:16-17, Luke 12:7, Psalm 139:16). Because the nature of God is all knowing, fully involved, and divinely providential, even in times of chaos and suffering, we can rest assured that God is aware, present, deeply invested, and at work for the good of purifying our faith and glorifying His character.

God is eternally good.  The providence of God, especially His involvement through sorrow, disasters, and suffering, can often tempt people to doubt the goodness of God. The idea that "God is providentially in control" is confused with "God is the source of evil", or at the least, "God forsakes us in times of need". Through Scripture, however, God clearly teaches us that His very nature is good and only capable of working through all circumstances for good for those who love Him; and yes, at times, what is "good" is bringing justice upon evil (Psalm 100:5, Romans 8:28, Nahum 1:7, 1 Chronicles 16:34). Even when God punishes what it evil, that is an expression of His perfectly good, Holy, and just nature.

God is compassionate, merciful, and caring, especially in our time of need. While it might feel like God is distant, neglectful, or even absent during our times of distress, God's very nature pours out lavished mercy, grace, and compassion on His children--especially in our time of need (Exodus 34:6-7, Psalm 145:9, Lamentations 3:22-23, Hebrews 4:16).

Promises of God

God will never leave or forsake us. Our human nature typically doubts the presence of and goodness of God in times of distress, yet the very nature of God is incapable of forsaking His children (as previously mentioned). If God feels distant or deaf to our cries in times of trouble or seasons of trials, we must find rest in knowing that as we draw near to Him, He draws near to us--never forsaking us in our time of need or plenty (James 4:8, Psalm 9:10). In fact, God promises to never leave or forsake His children (Hebrews 13:5).

Eternal healing and rest await those whose lives are marked by the reign of the LORD. Though disasters, trauma, sickness, tragedy, and even death, strike us in this life, for God's children, we have a promise of an eternal state of glorified bodies that will not experience sin, sorrow, suffering, death, pain, etc (Revelations 21:4; 22:1-2, Isaiah 33:24, 1 Corinthians 15:42-42). For all believers marked by God's indwelling Holy Spirit and forgiven through the atoning blood of Jesus, we are promised that our trials and suffering are temporary experiences in this life that pale in comparison to the eternal glory that await after this life passes away (Romans 8:18).

Just as we can depend on the nature of God never changing (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17), we can equally depend on the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises. As we meditate on and focus on God's nature and promises, experiencing divine level rest in times of chaos, is not only possible, but assured.  Therefore, "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."