A FOREST NIGHT

The leaves have fallen from the trees,
save the willowy group of Tamaracks,
and the coyotes yip in the rustling leaves
with the moonlight on their backs.
 
The shadows grow in the chilly air,
and the wind brings out an owl,
and they know that winter will bring its share
when the coyotes start to howl.
 
Yet, they hold on fast through the stirring night,
like the ones who always pray,
having peace and trust in the morning light
and hope for a brand new day.

 

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men 

always ought to pray and not lose heart.

Luke 18:1 

A FOREST NIGHT

Prayer, as you know, is communicating with our Heavenly Father. It's calling on the name of Almighty God. David did, as written in 2 Samuel 22:7. David cried out to the LORD when the LORD had delivered him from his enemies.

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry entered His ears.

2 Samuel 22:7

Dear visitor to Veery Glade, remember to call upon God. Our Creator is still able to hear we humans whom He created. The vehicle of prayer is the wonderful way to talk with Almighty God, the keeper of the throne of grace who is able to hear and respond. And further, Jesus, His Son, intercedes on our behalf when we can't form the words.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

The above words in Matthew 11:28 were spoken by Jesus. Jesus is able to give rest. Oh, sweet rest! We can put our trust in God's Son, Jesus Christ. As I continue this year's theme, which is Heaven, today's blog post is about that glorious rest only Jesus gives, now and in our future home in Heaven. 

Yes, we can experience Christ's rest now, before Heaven. It is the type of rest for our spirits—those of us who are quickened by the Holy Spirit which Jesus had asked His Father to give.

"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

John 14:16-17

What does this special rest that Jesus gives look like? What is it? It is the confidence in knowing God's all-surpassing strength and ability to complete His will. It is His tender care and love and grace toward us. It is provision for us, not because of anything we did to earn it but because of God's character.

He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.

Isaiah 40:11

Hezekiah told the prophet Isaiah that the Word of the LORD is good, and we who believe agree. This prophecy of Jesus, who is the exact representation of Creator God in the flesh, foretells a shepherd. Jesus is the Living Word, also written in the book of John. Yes, God's Son, Jesus, is able to give rest like a good shepherd. He is the Good Shepherd.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."

John 10:11

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gave His life for the sheep. He gave His life for sinners like you and me and He raised His life up on resurrection day. He has power to lay it down and then to take it back up. Jesus calls His sheep by name. They hear His voice and follow Him. They pasture safely and live abundantly because the Good Shepherd cares for His sheep. Believers trust His sovereignty, and this is steadfast rest.

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:4

Newness of life. The old is gone, the new has come. This newness involves seeing the world through regenerated eyes. With a heart made full by the love of God shed abroad in our hearts made possible by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, believers partake in a divine nature. This newness of life fixes our eyes on Jesus, the Author of our faith. We trust Him and His infallible Word. His Word says Heaven exists and in Heaven, predators will not lurk. People will not destroy. There won't be any harm-wishers nor turmoil nor fighting nor taxes nor stresses nor waywardness nor messed-up thinking. Sin won't be in Heaven's upright land of rest.

The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.

Psalm 145:20

Do you love God? His Word declares He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. Do you love God's Son? If so, then He will preserve His own. Those who never loved Christ, God will destroy. Why? Because He has said so in His Word. People who are condemned are marked wicked. I'm here to write that God's Word will come to pass. He's written it out for us, the good and the bad.

"There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."

Isaiah 57:21

God will never allow wicked people to enjoy His rest. People not quickened in their spirit by the Holy Spirit will not enter the rest in Heaven. People not born again by the time they die will never enter rest. They enter unrest forever. The unrest is in Hell, the place away from Jesus. It is a very, very, very-times-infinity sad plight for the soul who rejects Christ. No words of comfort or human effort to change God's Word will change God's Word.

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,'" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Hebrews 4:1-3

The result of no affection for Christ is no entrance into His rest. The result of trusting in human flesh and works ends in death. People apart from God's Word end apart from God. In their darkness, they promote their own ideas. But a false assurance keeps workers of iniquity, and some might not even know they are workers of iniquity. A false gospel brings spiritual death. We all physically die (unless the Lord should return). But the rest Jesus gives is for those who call on Him in faith and become saved. The true gospel brings spiritual life when we enter God's rest by placing our trust in Him.

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

Hebrews 4:9-11

He or she who has entered Heaven's rest is a member of the body of Christ. If we're born again, the Bible says we can know we have eternal life. Rest in the Lord now and set your sights on the future promised rest in Heaven.

FOR THE JOY: Poems Reflecting on Christ's Death and Resurrection

I hope to encourage readers to trust God's infallible and inerrant Word with this Easter collection of poetry and illustrations to be published in time for Easter. If you would like to have a part in the launching of For The Joy, please pray for me. If you love poetry that honors Christ, I'd love to invite you to read these poems.

FOCUS ON PRAYER

Today is the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians. Please join fellow brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe in prayer for our persecuted Christian family members. Remember them this whole month. God knows who they are. Call on our Lord for them.

FINAL VERSES

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

Psalm 37:7

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

Psalm 143:10

The Good Shepherd's Spirit is all you need. Jesus is the only Giver of rest, now and in Heaven.