Rest

30 April 2007

God spoke to me one day when I was reading about King David in 2 Samuel 7:1-3

Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.” Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.”

I thought: WOW! David really loved the Lord and wanted to build a house for Him. However, as I read on, I realised the Lord was chiding David in verses 4-7

But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”

I learnt LESSON #1 – REST and not worry about ANYTHING. This message came when I was coping well with my weekly chemotherapy. Because I was doing well, I was making plans to resume my normal routine as far as possible. Like David, I was not accepting the rest that God offered me.

* I was thinking of sending John for Mandarin classes. No vacancy. WHAM!
* I found another Mandarin tutor for John but she’s available only in July. WHAM!
* I planned to bring the children for a story telling session but hubby had a dinner. WHAM!
* I wanted to bring the children to the bookshop but mom had a doctor’s appointment.
WHAM!
* I was checking out a helper seeking a new employer. She found a new home even before I could do anything. WHAM!

OUCH!!! AW!!! My face hurt real bad. I thank God it was only my face that was hurt. These were some doors that were closed in my face. In spite of my thick skull, God had been very merciful.

I learnt LESSON #2 – No matter how good my plans are, it’s best to shelf them until God’s time.

Very soon after this, I felt the cummulative effects of the weekly chemotherapy. I was tired and lethargic and didn’t feel like doing anything at all. Then I began to understand why the Lord reminded me to rest. He was also preparing me for my daily radiotherapy that would soon follow. Unless I rest, what is to come could be too much for my family and me to cope.

The Lord went on to make a covenant with David, issuing significant promises for him, his offspring and Israel (v 9-16). I thank God for His assurances.

Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, And bear them up forever. Psalm 28:9

Pray for me as I begin my daily radiotherapy today for the next 25 working days. Pray for good health and pray against any side effects. Pray also for good and timely breaks for my parents.

Learning to rest in His assurances,
Apple