I was healing well, getting so much better - and then - a setback. It brought deep discouragement. I came down to meet with the Lord in my "secret place" and inquired why I am still suffering setbacks, despite all the things I'm doing to get well.
He answered me with a Scripture:
Deut. 20:4: For the LORD your God is the One who goes before you to fight for you against the enemy...
"So, Father, that means 'Stand still and you will see the Deliverance the LORD will bring you today?' Like the words you spoke to Moses just before he led the people across the parted waters of the sea? You keep telling me to enter into a "God-Rest." Why do we not understand this in this day in which we live - this day of rushing, running, traffic, busyness, accomplishing, achieving, appointments, stress, worry, anxiety, fear?
"Stand still and see You bring my deliverance?" I asked Him. "Surely you must need my help and participation! Maybe even a little of my own advice? You keep asking me to wait on You. No offense, Lord, but You made Sarah wait until she was 90 to have a baby! I don't have time to wait. You call us to GO and to DO."
I sat before the Holy One. I did wait. And He did speak:
"Not this time. It is not time for you to go and do. This time your body is over-taxed and your mind overwhelmed. You must leave the sixth day and come into the Seventh Day - My Sabbath - my day of Rest. So many of my own still make the Sabbath a time of heavy work and preparation. They rush to get dressed and speed down the highways to get there on time. They come home exhausted from all the activity of their "Day of Rest.
"Learn what this means - really learn it. I gave man a day to set aside all cares and anxieties and striving - and abide in Me. Abide in - make your home in - Me. Take a deep breath of My Spirit. Wait before Me. Those who wait on Me will renew their strength.
"Yes, child, picture yourself bundled up on a blanket, your Bible in your hand. That is your weapon against this illness. My Word goes before you to fight the enemy. In quietness and confidence is your strength.
"God-Rest is trust, utter trust, and unfailing faith that in the Seventh Day I will make everything complete. You will be victorious. Your strength will be renewed - in the Day of Rest.
"Stand still and you will see the deliverance your God will bring you."
Hebrews 4:9
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.
