Taking A Break (Daily Devotional)

Greetings and welcome to Living Supernaturally. Thank you once again for this opportunity to minister God's word and spend a few moments in prayer. This week, we're talking about silence and the silence of God. Today, we look at taking a break. Mark chapter 6, verses 30 and 32, ‘then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, ‘come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’ For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So, they departed to a deserted place in in the boat by themselves.’ According to the Bible, taking a break is not only acceptable but is actually encouraged. Most children are quick to let you know that their favorite subject in school is the break time. Adults may find that the early grind of going to work or preparing meals can both be tiring. We all need a break from time to time. The disciples came back home from a successful time of ministry, being sent by Jesus into towns of Galilee. When they returned, Jesus knew they needed time to rest. Jesus knew that it was time to work and He knew that it was also time to rest. He knew the importance of hard work better than anyone did. At the same time, He knew that we can only be most effective in our work when we take time off to rest. Jesus and His disciples were constantly busy, so, Jesus took them away to a deserted place for some rest and silence. No doubt they were tired when they returned yet excited to share with Jesus all the things that happened in their ministry but there was no time. People kept coming. Jesus had a solution, He said come with me by yourselves to a quiet place to get some rest. After any great effort, the body cries for rest but still more does the soul demand quietness after a successful work, either in ministry or in any work that we do. When Jesus invited His disciples for a short, spiritual retreat, three things seem obvious. Jesus is the one who ultimately gives us refreshing and the rejuvenation that we need. He recognizes our need for it and thirdly, this requires time away from people and time away to be alone with God. Elijah was a man of God full of power and had good moments and hard times too. God gave him bread and something to eat. The Lord spoke powerfully to him. God encouraged him that he was not the only person serving the Lord and that there were 7,000 other prophets that God had reserved who did not kneel to the gods of Baal. After you and I have physically rested and God has spoken to us, we can be ready to do what God wants us to do but, in the meantime, take time to rest. Let's pray, Father, we thank you for the truth of your word and we see today, the importance of rest, to stay alone and silent with you. We pray that you will enable us to be able to spend time in silence with you because in that silence, we can find you, your word and your presence, we thank you, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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