Finding Rest and Refreshment in God through Prayer Language

Finding Rest and Refreshment in God through the Prayer Language

December 29

Rest is a concept that has been deeply ingrained in our spiritual journey from the very beginning, as we can see in the book of Genesis. In the opening chapters of the Bible, after creating the universe in six days, God rested on the seventh day. This act of rest signifies God's ultimate state, and it's something we are encouraged to enter into as well (Genesis 2:2-3). The book of Hebrews speaks to this idea of entering into God's rest. It's an invitation for us to experience the rest that God has prepared for His people (Hebrews 4:9-10). In the Gospels, Jesus also extends an invitation when He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28).

The pursuit of rest and refreshment is something that resonates with humanity, especially in the face of the challenges and chaos that the world often presents. So, how can we enter into this rest? It all begins with accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. When Jesus beckons us to come to Him, it's an invitation to enter His rest (Matthew 11:28). In Revelation, we are reminded that He stands at the door, waiting for us to open it and invite Him in (Revelation 3:20). When we do this, He brings us the rest we so desperately need.

Drawing near to God is at the core of experiencing this rest, and the most profound way to draw near is through Jesus Christ. He proclaimed, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Through Jesus, we connect with the Creator and experience the rest He offers. However, the path to this rest involves a crucial step. Jesus had to sacrifice Himself, die on the cross, and rise again to send the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and guide. The Holy Spirit becomes the bridge between us and God, allowing us to receive Jesus and the Father into our hearts. We become temples that house the presence of God, and this is how we draw near to Him.

In 1 Corinthians, the concept of speaking in tongues, particularly the prayer language, is explored. This prayer language is a way to communicate with God. In 1 Corinthians 14, the apostle Paul refers to Isaiah 28:11, stating that this prayer language is the "rest and the refreshing." It is the key to entering into God's rest. Using our prayer language is a means to draw closer to God, and through it, we can enter into a state of rest similar to the seventh day of creation. In Hebrews, it's emphasized that those who didn't have faith in Christ couldn't enter this rest, but we can (Hebrews 4:3).

We can partake in the completion and fulfillment of God's plan because He has already completed everything. He spoke the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), and now we can rest in Him. The act of speaking in tongues serves a multifaceted purpose. It can help us overcome unbelief and build our faith. Jude 20 encourages us to "build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit." This prayer language is a tool to strengthen our faith and draw closer to God.

Finding rest and refreshment in God through the prayer language is a profound concept. I believe It is the same rest that Mary found when she sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words, while Martha was busy and burdened with other tasks (Luke 10:38-42). We, too, can adopt Mary's posture of seeking to listen to God. The beauty of the prayer language is its versatility. We can use it in various life situations, whether we are washing dishes, driving, or waiting in line at the grocery store. It doesn't require us to speak out loud; we can use it quietly, connecting with God wherever we are. This is the labor of entering into God's rest, as mentioned in Hebrews. We employ our prayer language to position ourselves into this rest, just as Isaiah 28:11 foretold.

In conclusion, rest and refreshment are available to us through the acceptance of Jesus Christ and the utilization of the prayer language. This heavenly language connects us with God, builds our faith, and positions us in a state of rest and refreshing. In this state, we find healing, experience miracles, receive wisdom, and discover divine inventions. Ultimately, it is in the rest and refreshment provided by God that we find all that we truly need. So, let us heed the invitation, draw near to God through Jesus Christ, and enter into His rest through the power of the prayer language.