And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. {Matthew 26:40-41}
I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time sitting still these days. When I do sit down I turn my phone on in an instant, looking to be entertained. It’s not easy to sit for an hour doing nothing. It seems to me these days we have to be always doing something if we’re not sleeping. Even when we eat we have our phone on or the television on. But the Bible tells us that the Lord doesn’t change. He never changes. The book of Hebrews tells us,
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. {Hebrews 13:8}
If the Lord never changes, then I imagine He still requires for us to sit still and commune with Him. That means no phones, no television, or no other distractions. Just sit still and wait for Him – stay with Him.
It is no wonder that we get so easily stressed out these days when things don’t go our way because we’re too busy and too worn out. We don’t rest enough. Having our phone on or having the TV on while we sit or lie is not rest. When our minds are still going a mile a minute, it doesn’t matter if our body is still. We’re still not resting. The only way to rest for me, I have found again and again, is to force myself to shut down and shut off from the media world and talk to the Lord in my heart and in my mind. If I can’t concentrate, I open my Bible. I read and read until something in there finally sinks in. Then slowly but surely the world starts to fade away and then I can start talking to the Lord.
It’s so wonderful to finally connect with the Lord – to finally feel His thoughts and His presence – to see Him in my mind and in my soul – to feel Him. The Lord tells us in His word,
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. {John 15:4-5}
Staying with the Lord and talking to Him is crucial to find rest in our day and age. We have to spend time with the Lord and stay connected to Him if we want Him to keep us from temptations. Satan is alive and well and like a roaring lion is seeking to devour us. {1 Peter 5:8} He’s sole desire is to cause us to fall away from God and be lost forever. Apostle Peter tells us to be sober and alert because of this. Satan is subtle. He is not going to make it obvious that he’s after you until it is too late. The only way to be alert and sober is to always make it our priority to spend time with the Lord, whether we feel like it or not. We have to abide with Him, stay with Him, and talk to Him. Take a few moments, an hour or two or however long it takes for you to connect with the Lord. When we make it into a habit, even for a short time, when it’s time for our prayer hour with Him it will not be impossible to do it. We will find it easier to talk to Him. Even ten minutes here, ten minutes there throughout the day adds up. Make talking and spending time with the Lord a habit. Our salvation depends on it. Our rest and peace of mind depend on it. We cannot be without the Lord these days. Staying with the Lord and spending time in His presence is crucial to making it to eternity and to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” {Matthew 25:23} This is the only way to truly live a life that is worthy of Christ. It is the only way to truly live for Him, by staying and abiding in Him.
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. {Luke 9:23}
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. {Matthew 11:29}
Prayer
Lord Jesus, our God and our Savior who loves us so much – our hope and our life is in You. We cannot be without You these last days. There is so much coming and going and Satan with his cohorts are alive and well, very much aware that their days are coming to an end soon. Please Father help us fight all of his wiles and his distractions that cause us to fall away from You and desire You less and less. Help us to fight Father by abiding in You and staying in Your presence daily. Help us to respond to Your drawing of us to You in our spirit. Help us to obey You and turn off our media devices and come away with You and stay with You. We cannot do this on our own. We need You Father. We cannot fight the enemy of our souls without You. Please Jesus help us. Help us to come to You today and talk with You today. I ask all these things in Your most wonderful and precious name, Jesus. Thank You, Father. Amen.
