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VALLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Finding Rest for Your Soul

8/25/2016

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I asked you recently, if anyone here was feeling anxious?  Is anyone worried; maybe even feeling overwhelmed?  Maybe for you, it’s a health concern or a concern for someone you love, for their well-being, or a concern for the future; you worry about it, and even though you know you can’t control it, you are still anxious.
 
I wonder how many of you are feeling tired and weary, wondering where you will find the strength to carry on and desperately wanting to find rest of your soul.
 
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)
 
There is a better way; a way to go through life that leads to soul rest.  King David captured it in one of the most well know passages in the Bible, Psalm 23.
 
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.   He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  (Psalm 23:1-3)
 
Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I can live in such a way that I will experience His care and find rest and restoration for my soul.  When I am feeling hurried or anxious or afraid I simply need to run the Shepherd and allow Him to care for and protect me.
 
Because He is the Good Shepherd who cares for me and provides for me, I can with a sense of peace and contentment.  I can rest, knowing He will take me to the green pastures and lead me to the still waters; He will provide all that I need.  In His presence and under His care I am secure, free from fear and therefore able to cease from my own striving, from wrestling in my spirit; to stop running and allow the Shepherd of my soul to bring me to place of rest.
 
I have set the Lord always before me.  Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.  (Psalm 16:8-9)
 
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  (Psalm 91:1)
 
Fear cannot abide in the presence of our Shepherd!
 
When we are reminded of His love and care and just how good and faithful He has been; that is enough to sustain us on this journey—to know God sees and God cares, that’s enough to bring rest to our souls.
 
God’s inviting you into His presence, into His rest; to say to Him, ‘I need You, You are my only hope.  God, I invite you into my pain, into my anxiety and worry, into my anger, doubt and fear.
 
God, we invite You in.  Come, and bring your peace.
 
May you meet God again and again as you journey with Him in the days ahead; may you open yourself up to Him and as you come into His presence, may He minister to the deep needs of your heart and soul and reveal Himself in mercy and kindness and grace and compassion.  My friends at Valley, may you find joy in walking with Him; may you find rest for your soul
 
The Lord bless you and keep you;  the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  the Lord turn his face toward you  and give you peace.

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    Author

    Ken Clarke has been the Pastor at Valley since 2007. He lives in the Oliver area 
    with his wife Janice ; they have three adult children, Lisa, Scott & Tiffany (Riley) and Andrea & Jason.

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