Friday 13 October 2023

Psalm 139

Background

In the first three chapters of the letter to the Hebrews, the author reinforced the credentials of Jesus as the son of God, the visible image of God, through whom salvation may be found. He appeals to his readers to remember Jesus is the High Priest through whom forgiveness of their sins is found, and then gives a warning to those who are doubtful and drifting from their previously held trust in Jesus.

The warning in Hebrews 3:11 is explicit: unbelievers will not enter rest. This continues into 4:1 "Therefore while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should have seemed to have failed to reach it."

The author reminds his Jewish readers that Joshua did not lead the Israelites after 40 years wandering into this rest (v. 8). It is through faith and belief in Jesus that they are led into the promised rest.   

In my early 20s despite having a good job, a place to live and fulfilling relationships, I found myself feeling empty. Everything I had attained counted for nothing. Indeed, 'having it all' contributed to my feelings of loneliness and hopelessness. My soul was far from being at rest. This was so confusing, indeed my fear of the torment I was in led to me to dark thoughts on how to escape it.

But at the age of 25, I became a Christian. It happened only after I had made every excuse to hold on to what I knew wasn’t working! Ultimately, I let go of my selfish success, my view of what was right and wrong and my desire to be in control of my life, and made that huge leap of faith to trust in Jesus. Wonderfully through Jesus I discovered peace and the most amazing rest in my deep inner being. No longer did I have to fight wealth, power and self. I had been set free to let go, so I could receive the rest my soul longed for.  

This wonderful peace and rest found in Jesus the author is reminding his readers about, is the same rest the whole world relentlessly seeks. How sad it is that governments, nations and individuals think it can be found through power, dominion and wealth, despite all the evidence of history telling us otherwise.            

In my work as a prison chaplain, I encourage and challenge prisoners not to waste their time. However hard it is, they need to view ‘doing time’ as a gift to be used wisely. It can be wasted, lying on a bunk in regret, longing for what they have lost, but alternatively, prisoners can take all the help that is on offer, including the risen Jesus. In letting go and learning from the mistakes of the past, they can become the person they were created to be. And in doing so, some discover the living eternal God and life-giving peace. Even inside prison, they can find deep rest, which is hidden in plain sight, and longing to be received.

To Ponder:

• What does resting in God mean to you?
• Does your faith in Jesus mean expectations that you feel you can never live up to; leaving you wandering and restless in your soul?
• What needs to happen so your restlessness becomes rest?
• Does remaining in this rest mean constantly giving it away? 

Prayer

Divine presence, God of rest, who promises in Jesus rest for our souls, may you bring rest to all creation. Help us to let go of all that we cling to, so that we no longer wander in the wilderness of a possession-filled life, rather than entering your promised rest. Amen.

Prisons Week

8-14 October 2023 is Prisons Week, which the Methodist Church sponsors. All of this week’s contributions are written by Methodist prison chaplains.