by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Returning to the Soul’s Resting Place

These benches happen to reside on the Brighton Palace Pier in England. I see an invitation in these benches to sit and view the English Channel, to gaze over the city of Brighton, to watch people as they pass by. But did I? Of course not.

I take more pictures of benches than sit on them.

“Return, O my soul, to your rest [resting place]; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”
Psalm 116:7 English Standard Version

There are times that the writers of the psalms speak to their souls as they reflect on their lives. In Psalm 116, the psalmist reflects on the Lord delivering him from death. He praises God for listening to his prayers. However, even though the near-death experience might have been in the past, there was still the present anxiety that this experience carried with it.

His soul needed to return to its resting place, to the Lord his savior.

Just as it doesn’t make sense for me to avoid resting on these benches, it doesn’t make sense for those of us who know the saving power of God, a God who emptied heaven of his most precious Son, to avoid returning daily to our resting place.

It feels strange, but I would encourage you to speak to your soul today. If the psalmist felt comfortable speaking to his soul, it is okay for you as well. Tell your soul that it’s time to return to its resting place.

The problem is that we flit about attempting to do things that we believe will bring rest to our souls. Salvation and rest are not in our doing, but in the One who did it for us. Every day God invites us to sit and enjoy grace. Our sin beats us up, but God’s love in Jesus satisfies our souls.

I not only invite you to speak to your soul today, but to talk with the One who gives rest to your soul. It might feel awkward, but God wants you to find your resting place in him, rest from your flitting about. He is your eternal resting place.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado