Resting In The Bosom of the Father

May 2, 2000

Having just recently come back from an a 7 days oversea holiday trip with my whole family, it has taken me a while to get adjusted back to my normal routine. Once I got myself settled, I was also preparing to take up my place in the spiritual realm.

SOMETHING HAS CHANGED

I noticed that something had changed within me. In the past, I was just too eager to engage the enemy face to face in battle at every point. This time however, I felt a greater longing to just ignore him most times. This was somewhat strange to me.

In place of that, I am finding myself just wanting to do nothing actively in terms of spiritual battle like binding and rebuking ,  but to rest passively in the presence of the  Lord. No matter how much I wanted to put on my "battle gear", I just could not keep up my position.

I initially thought that what I was feeling was a carry over of  "vacation blues". In the spiritual realm, it was like I was spending a long weekend everyday with no urgent schedules to keep and I could afford to have breakfast in bed and just spend leisure time snuggling close to my loved ones.

This went on for many days and I began to feel that maybe I had let my guard down and had become complacent. But no matter how hard I tried to stir up my spirit, it continued to remain in that state.

THE FATHER ASSURANCE

I decided to bring this matter before the Father instead of trying to analyze it by myself and to hear what the Father had to say to me. I asked Him if something was wrong with me spiritually.

I felt a very reasuring impression from the Father that He had called me to that place this season and that it was okay to continue resting in the bosom of the Father.

CONFIRMATION FROM OTHERS

I was not content with that impression because it sounded too good to be true and seemed too easy for me, so I decided to inquire with my prayer partner, I checked with her to see if she had noticed anything different in her quiet time. We discovered as we exchanged notes that we were feeling the same way. After that, I checked with another prayer partner and found that the same was happening to her.

RESTING IN THE BOSOM OF THE FATHER

I felt the Father impressing to me that what had happened to my friends and me was not limited to our sphere but that many of God's faithful children might be finding themselves in the same place.

The Father reminded me of the story of Martha and Mary, and made me focus on the place of Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said and how the Lord commented that she had chosen what was better, and it would not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:38 - 42)

Another reference the Father brought to my mind was the story of Esther when it mentioned about the preparation that all girls must undergo before they are brought into the king's presence.  "Before a girl's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months of oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics." (Esther 2:12)

A TIME OF SPIRITUAL REST

To those in the body of Christ who are finding themselves in this place, this time is a time ordained by the Father for us. It does not mean that there will be no trouble or warfare taking place in our midst. But despite the turmoils surrounding us,we need not worry for God will have us covered at all points.

He knew the many battles that His children had been engaged in the past season, and it is His desire that we spend this season resting in the bosom of the Father. We need not worry about the enemy's tactics or schemes because as we rest and hide in Him, God will take care of the enemy. This is a season to FOCUS ON GOD and be immersed in Him.

RHEMA PROMISES

Psalm 91:1,4,9-10,14

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. If you make the Most High your dwelling - even the Lord, who is my refuge - then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. "Because he loves me," says the Lord, " I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name."

Psalm 17:8

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 31:19-21

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. Praise be to the Lord, for He showed His wonderful love to me when I was in the besieged city.

PRAYER

"Father, thank you for letting us know that nothing is wrong with us. We thank you for allowing us this time to rest in Your bosom, for drawing us nearer to You and for refreshing our soul despite the turmoils that surround us at many points. We praise you for Your wisdom, we are glad that Your ways are not our ways, and to know that Your desire is to prepare us like Esther was prepared to meet her king. Oh what a privilege it is to be counted as Your children. We love you Father."

Resting in the Father's bosom,

Sis. Ching Co
Cebu City
Philippines