Return to Your Rest

Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. Psalm 116:7 NIV.

A few thoughts come to mind as I read this verse. 

First, our natural position should be rest. We are told to return to our rest. That makes me stop and ask myself: Am I at rest? When I stop and look inwardly, I can see that there is often striving, dissatisfaction, anxiety, worry, and even anger. Lord, help! 

But then I have another thought: I can choose rest. What a wonderful concept! I am told to return to my rest, which means I can make a choice to do so. I can speak to my soul and tell it to return to rest—and I believe it will, because God’s Word tells me to. 

But why should my soul return to rest? 

Because the Lord has been good to me. 

This is the key to finding rest. When we stop and ponder the goodness and greatness of God, we begin to understand that we have no reason to fear. God Himself is our peace, our refuge, and our hiding place. 

If God is for me, who can be against me? 

Oh yes! That is where rest is found! It is found when I turn my attention away from my circumstances and back to the One who holds me securely in His hands. It is found when I remind my soul that God is good, God is faithful, and God is watching over me. 

So, my soul, return to your rest. Return to the truth that you are safe in God’s care. Return to the knowledge that He is your refuge. Return to the assurance that He never sleeps, never leaves, and never stops watching over you. 

Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.

Psalm 18:2 NIV
 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, 
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 
Psalm 121 NIV 
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— 
where does my help come from? 
2 My help comes from the Lord, 
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip— 
he who watches over you will not slumber; 
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel 
will neither slumber nor sleep. 
5 The Lord watches over you— 
the Lord will be your shade at your right hand; 
6 the sun will not harm you by day, 
nor the moon by night. 
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— 
he will watch over your life; 
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.