In Search of CHRISTmas Presenceنموونە

God’s Presence Brings Rest

Scripture:

“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14 NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

Reflection:

A beach holiday. A bench by a lake. Waking up when you are fully rested and not to an alarm clock. These are things we might typically associate with “rest.” That state of not having to care about, worry about, or “do” anything. For most people “rest” is not associated with the Christmas season. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Meals to plan, parties to attend, gifts to buy and wrap, activities to participate in, and the list goes on.

But what if it was possible to experience both?

In Exodus, we read that the Lord once replied to Moses, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” He didn’t say, “My Presence will stay here in your quiet time where I will give you rest.” Instead, He said, “My Presence will GO WITH you."

God’s Presence isn’t stationary. It isn’t fixed to you’re the place where you have your devotions. It isn’t found only in being in church. It GOES WITH US… But not only does he GO WITH US, He GIVES US REST. The two ideas seem foreign… GO and REST. Yet, it is his promise. That as we GO. As we carry out those things He has called us to, we will not be worn down and left exhausted, but we will experience “rest”.

God promised to Moses to not just give him a “break” from his heavy responsibilities, but rather being in a state of feeling settled, secure, and at peace in His presence. The rest was “relational”, not circumstantial. It was born out of knowing God’s personal presence would accompany him everywhere he went.

Now imagine God saying to you, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” This is the gift He offers us. This is what He is saying to us. That He will not only GO WITH us, but He will GIVE US REST. We do not need to walk through this Christmas season in a state of “hurry” if we chose to walk through this Christmas season – and every season – with Him. His presence bring calm to the busy, order to the chaos and strength to the weary. As He reminds us in Matthew 11, all we need to do is “Come to Him” and we will find “rest for our souls.”

Application:

Allow the words “my presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” to sink in. Today, intentionally pause in the middle of your busiest moment—whether that’s while cooking, driving, shopping, or wrapping gifts—and simply whisper, “Lord, thank You that Your presence goes with me. Help me find rest in You right now.”

When you invite His presence into these moments, notice how the atmosphere changes.

If you want to take it a step further, you could write this verse somewhere you’ll see it often—on your phone’s lock screen, on a sticky note by the sink, or on a Christmas card you’re addressing—so that each time you see it, you’re reminded that true rest is found in His presence, not in your circumstances.

Prayer:

Father, I stand in awe of your goodness. The promise of your presence is meant to be personal, for me. I accept the rest you want to provide my weary soul. I am grateful for Christmas presents. However, it is your Presence for which I long.