Being Seated
(6 minutes)
Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling [settled, made himself at home, sat down] 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. (2 Samuel 7:1-2)
"How much are we missing out on because broken hearts make us feel guilty when we're not doing something? Maybe the idea of sitting and resting we have avoided because we do hear God's voice so often and we do not like what we hear." (Pastor Tim)
Why do we get so antsy when we come into a posture of rest and stillness? Why do we resist being seated? This is the question that must be asked. Abba desires to speak to us and shine His pure light into the areas where our perspective is still darkened. Like Pastor Tim said on Sunday, we don't know how valuable we are to the Lord, so we think we constantly have to be producing something, and we've actually settled for a cheap imitation of what God really wants to give us - His love. And it's a broken heart that keeps the restlessness stirred up in us. It's the broken heart that avoids the still, quiet moments with the Lord.
Like little children, we are always asking, "What's next?" And Abba is responding to us, saying, "Beloved child, I want you to rest in the quietness of my presence and learn to be loved by Me. Come be still so you can hear how I feel about you and see just how loved and accepted you are." These are the things our heart is longing to hear, but the brokenness keeps us too busy to engage with the heart of Abba.
What are you doing right now to prove that you're valuable? Are you aware that it's a broken heart that is fueling that restlessness in you?
King David is finally being seated in his home, entering into a still, quiet place where he can hear Yahweh's voice for himself, and he is immediately stirred to action. His restlessness won't allow him to sit still with the Lord. So Nathan has to hear God's voice on his behalf. This is a byproduct of not letting Abba heal our broken hearts: we have to rely on other people to hear God's voice for us. But this is not Abba's heart. He wants to have an unbroken companionship, an ongoing conversation, with His beloved sons and daughters. Face to face, mouth to mouth, is what we're made for.
Can you sit down and do nothing? Can you hang your sword up and get seated so Abba can talk to you about the things that really matter to Him? Like your family? This would've been on the top of the list for King David because although he was a mighty warrior, he was a horrible father. He was so disconnected from his family that a seed of bitterness was planted in their hearts and his own children were turning on him. He had a family that nobody would want. What are we missing out on because we can't enter into rest? What things are happening in our lives right now that are directly tied to our inability to get seated in Abba's presence? What affect is our brokenness having on our legacy, on the generations that are coming after us?
"If you're not quiet, you'll never learn what comes from your brokenness. You'll remain who you've always been." (Pastor Tim)
Beloved One, will you get seated and let Me speak the words that your heart is longing to hear? I will give you beauty for ashes, joy instead of tears, and a mantle of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness. Then you will be known as Mighty Oaks of Righteousness. I never called you to be a warrior, only a worshipper. Only a Lover of My presence! Enter into My rest. It's your inheritance.
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Worship: "Rest" by Kari Jobe
Honor: Give Online to The Wilderness Place
Share With Us: We would love to hear how you're encountering Abba in your daily walks. Don't hesitate to share what you're hearing, seeing, or sensing in His presence. Email us here!
