“He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, now you have returned to the Shepherd & Overseer of your souls.” I Peter 2:24-25

“All we like sheep have gone astray” Isaiah 53:6

We all, like sheep without a Shepherd, were going astray. Before Christ saved us and gave us a new heart and new life…. we were wandering, seeking, soul-thirsty, headed for ruin, unprotected, exposed, and lonely.

BUT Hallelujah, the Shepherd sought us out and placed our souls in His care. He folded us into His flock, turned us around to His heart, and made us lie down in His green pastures.

Perhaps a soul at rest is truly one of the best ways to witness to the world the gospel of Jesus.

“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.” Psalm 62:1

Every single day, we should remind ourselves that our soul is His and we were purchased at an infinitely high price. He bore our sins in His body, so that we may die to sins and live for righteousness. So we must do what He asks: Die to our sins by focusing on the True Righteousness found in Him and not our-self. Take captive our thoughts that are not set on Him and His ways. Be vigilant to stay ever-close to Him. Depend on Him & trust in Him more more more. And re-turn around every time we have wandered in mind, body, or Spirit.

If our eternal life is in His care and He is trustworthy to sustain us for all eternity, certainly He is also trustworthy to care for the lesser parts of us: our minds and these earthly vessels. We no longer have to wander looking for peace, justification in ourselves, righteousness in our own efforts, worthy-ness in how HE uses us, satisfaction, identity, perfection, purpose, security, or comfort. HE is the answer to IT ALL.

When we find ourselves astray and looking around for any of these soul longings to be met elsewhere… we must turn around quickly, drop to our sheep knees, and call out to the Shepherd. He will remind us who He is, whose we are, and that He desires us to surrender to His care. He truly is trustworthy. It’s HIS faithfulness and strength we rely on! Our part is to put in the work to rest.

“There remains then a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from His own work, just as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest….“ Hebrews 4:9-11a

We must pay attention to our longings. Pay attention to our thoughts. And make every effort to feast on His Word so that we can know Him more, walk ever-closer to Him, be free from SELF, and rest in His care.

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28

Thank you my Good Shepherd for putting my soul at rest. Thank you for rescuing me from the empty way of life I was wandering in. Help me live more and more as a witness to your deep soul rest. I truly believe I was made for you and for all my deepest longings to be met in you. Help me experience the deep peace and contentment you give. Please help me more and more give my life to you so that my mind body and heart can also be content and rested in you. I know you are the ALmighty and you are good and you are loving. Please help me be quick to run to you, turn to you in thoughts, and help me put in the work to rest. Help me desire YOU above all else and live for YOUR glory. Pour out your love so that I can love you more. I am so weak – but you are the Good, Strong Shepherd.