Podcast (daily-devotion): Download (3.5MB)

Psalm 116:7-14
Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, LORD, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living. I trusted in the LORD when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”; in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.” What shall I return to the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

It’s a good day when we can say to ourselves, “Return to your rest.” There are times when anxiety fills our hearts, when fear builds an impenetrable fortress in our souls. There are times when dread settles like a heavy fog, when suffering makes us feel that everyone is out to get us. Now it’s time, my soul, to return to rest.

The Lord is the one who brings us back to our rest. His strength delivers us from the fear of the grave. His compassion dries our tears. God’s protection keeps us from stumbling. He is the one who allows us to walk “in the land of the living.”

So we counsel ourselves, “Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good” to us. He is our Strength-Giver, our Peace-Giver, and our Protector-Provider. In Him alone we can find real rest.

Father, thank You for giving me the strength I need to make it through today. Thank You for drying my tears and bringing me to a place of peace. Thank You for keeping my feet from stumbling. Thank You for rest. In Jesus’ name. Amen.