Sabbath: Free to Rest
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Mark 2:1-12, 1 Kings 1:1-46, 1 Kings 19:1-8, Matthew 5:1-3, Isaiah 53:4-6, 2 Kings 2:11.
Memory Text: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
Many of the people Jesus encountered in His earthly ministry were sick, sometimes even unto death. They thronged to Jesus for healing and for rest from their sufferings. And they always received it, too.
Sometimes He just spoke a word, and they were fully recovered. Sometimes He touched the sick, and miraculously, they were healed. Sometimes He sent them off, and healing took place as they went on their way. Jesus healed men, women, children, Jews, non-Jews, rich people, and poor, unassuming people. The worst cases of leprosy and blindness were not beyond His reach. Indeed, He even healed those with the worst “sickness” of all — death.
This week, we look at two very different examples of healing. In the one, the sufferer was so ill that he could not even come to Jesus on his own. His symptoms were clearly visible to everyone. In the other case, there were no obvious visible symptoms. In both cases, healing came in God’s time and way.
As we explore the topic of rest from pain and suffering, we will also contemplate the question that all of us, at some point or another in our Christian walk, have experienced. And what happens when our prayers for healing aren’t answered?
How do we find rest then?
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 21.
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I have mentioned that Carmel and I are involved in the local chapter of the U3A movement - an organisation whose aim is to ensure that senior folk (our age) are both socialised and involved in continued intellectual activity. This is a secular organisation but, because the population in this area has a high proportion of Adventists, it is a good mixing ground. The vice-president of our local chapter was recently diagnosed with a lymphoma type cancer. He and Carmel are in the Ukulele players group together. When he told the group that he was undergoing treatment, Carmel told him that even though he didn't believe in God, she would pray that his treatment would be a success. I think he was genuinely touched that Carmel thought enough of him to pray for him and he and Carmel have kept in touch during his treatment.
Sometimes the miracle is not the healing but the peace and rest provided by others being genuinely concerned about your wellbeing. Who knows what miracle God has in mind?
Just something to think about this week.
Reviewing the story of Joseph, this week, was a blessing, indeed! What a wonderful reminder that Our Heavenly Father's plans for our lives far exceed our short-sightedness! He is willing to forgive our unrighteousness; and, He continues to provide every good thing needed for our sustenance and salvation! Gen. 45:5; Rom. 8:28
"...The tide of divine compassion flows into the sinner’s soul, and from him to the souls of others. The tenderness and mercy that Christ has revealed in His own precious life will be seen in those who become sharers of His grace.”
Joseph prospered "with his two children."
Praise God for adding divine and eternal value to our dreaded and often difficult circumstances ... for generations!
Brother Ashton,
Thanks for your commentary.
I am intrigued by the question asked in the lesson today.
As we explore the topic of rest from pain and suffering, we will also contemplate the question that all of us, at some point or another in our Christian walk, have experienced. And what happens when our prayers for healing aren’t answered?
How do we find rest then?
The study of finding rest, "shalom", even when we don't experience physical or mental rest is what we are offered uniquely by The Holy Spirit.
I was thinking of providing this comment later in the week but it is relevant here. (so I might just make it twice :-))
In one of our church services, a member gave a testimony claiming a miracle of healing. It was quite a moving experience, but in the audience that day was a woman who was suffering from a terminal disease. Unfortunately for me I had the prayer that day and found myself on the horns of a dilemma. It was one of those occasions that I wished I had a month to prepare. I cannot remember exactly what I prayed but I know that I prayed for understanding of God's answers to our prayers when they are different to our expectations. And I prayed for congregational empathy for those who had a heavy burden to bear. The lady in question thanked me after the service.
I have heard enough prayers for miracles that never happen but have seen alternative answers that were quite unexpected. In our extended family we had case of a child with Leukemia that extended from early childhood right through to the teenage years before he died. We rode the emotional rollercoaster with his family for over ten years as he went into remission only to have the disease return again and again. In his short life though that young child touched the hearts of many with his faith and endurance. He lived the promise of Job, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him!"
So, do I know the answer. No. Each case is different but I do know of at least some where God's love has been seen though the lens of tragedy, and that gives me some hope too.
Living a life of Faith and Hope in spite of any circumstances is the Work of The Holy Spirit.
Sabbath's Rest is the most Important, Great, and Relaxing Day to give to the Lord, I Love the Sabbath.
Today's concludes with a very important but all too frequently passed-over question: "what happens when our prayers for healing aren't answered?" This is especially the case if we broaden the scope of this question to cover all aspects of pain and suffering - not just physical.
To start the ball rolling for this week as we consider pain, suffering and healing, I would invite you begin to ponder 2 Corinthians 12:5-10 where Paul did not experience the healing he originally sought - but nevertheless experienced healing.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank those who have taken the risk and shared their experiences over the past weeks - my hope is that we learn from your experience how we can better support and encourage others in their journey rather than judge and discourage...
I get where Paul is coming from in his letter. Expertise and experience can be a danger to functional relationships, especially if their “truth” is not spoken through Christ’s love. But at issue is more than God answering our prayers for our healing or the healing of others we know. My experience is that when a person is in crisis with a life-threatening physical disease or a broken family relationship, what they fear most is social isolation and abandonment.
The prayer is not so much of God to “fix” the issue; instead, it is asking God to show me how to stay connected with that person to be there for them, to help them with a need, to listen sympathetically to their grief. This is comfort to the soul and answered prayer.
Wow, thank you both of your inspiration today. My heart has been touched.
God’s blessings to all of you.
PS. We must continue to pray for God’s people in Haiti and Afghanistan. God’s people are everywhere, and He is calling them to “come out of her, my people,…”Revelation 18:4. Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to change the subject of this week’s lesson; however, we must continue to watch and pray.
I sure am enjoying this quarter's lessons Resting in Christ , I enjoyed and learned ,as I'm still learning from Joseph's exciting tremendous, strength, trust and faith in his God.
We don't realize how far we've come from love and forgiveness.
I'm so glad our Father in heaven is a great teacher through Jesus Christ. So happy for his patience Grace and Mercy, where would I be if he didn't forgive me the many times he did.
Thank you Lord 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙌🏾🙌🏾
The introduction of the lesson about suffering and the unanswered prayer has hit me the hardest. My father has battled with cancer for the last four years, prayers have been made, resources depleted, the family has been emotionally sick,but, still, through it all, I've learnt to depend upon His promise though to us as a family,the road to rest seems dreary and weary.How do we find rest then?
The study this week on Joseph and forgiveness was excellent. A study I will continue as I learn more of the art of true forgiveness. I'm looking forward to the study this week studying finding rest even when I feel like God isn't answering my prayer. (usually wasn't answered in the way I wanted him to.) My first thought went to Paul's thorn in the side. How he accepted the infirmity. It does make me wonder how Paul's story would have read if God had removed the thorn.
All of God’s Truths come down to needing to be personalized in each one’s heart, mind, and expressed in life. If the Truth expressed in Psalms 27:1 becomes one's own experience, what can we add to that; is there still something missing to assure us that we are in good hands and well cared for in spite of pain and suffering?
Can this Truth, fully understood and appreciated, remove the physical pain and suffering? What does the Father offer to mitigate our physical pain and suffering? “And what happens when our prayers for healing aren’t answered?” These are important questions and I am looking forward to learning about the Love of God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eves; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Rev 21:4.
Free to Rest
What is pain?
Is pain a good or bad thing?
Should we be concern about every pain?
What pain should we ignore, what should we take into consideration?
Do some people preferred to stay in pain and suffering or be healed?
Millions, if not billions of people suffer from deprive sleep because of pain and suffering. The pain and suffering from disease as conformed by doctors or pain and suffering which many doctors were unable to find a cause. Many lived their total live with chronic pain. As a Christian, how do we deal with pain whether acute or chronic? Whether physical, mental, social, psychological or spiritual? Can we find rest in Jesus even in our pain? Do we use our pain as an excuse for not resting in Jesus? Are we destroying our bodies with harmful substance, or situations to cover up our pain?
It was not the Lord desire for pain to be on this earth, pain came as a result of sin. Therefore pain will cont until sin is erased from this earth. In the meantime what do we do as Christians? We are aware that some pain is because of our choices but some is just as a result of sin. How do we comfort others?
Hello Bro Phil,
I too is pondering the question. I came over to the UK to study. Honestly, I didn't want to be in the UK, I wanted to be in Canada. However,God would have it that I got through for the UK. Before coming to the UK, I fasted and prayed about my studies. I also realized that my short term memory wasn't as sharp as before and I was told probably this was from consuming soy products (don't know if it's the case).Anyways, I reduced my intake and started on other plant based products, and I took recommended herbs as well but no changes
. Fast forward, I'm into my second year of my studies and my memory has gotten worst. I have prayed, cried and pleaded with God to heal my memory because I need my memory for when I'm doing patients'assessments and when I need to feedback in handovers. I've gone to the GP but they said nothing is wrong with my memory, all I need is rest. It's difficult at times because I'm up very late sometimes trying to complete a paper. But I'm so concerned now because I have to write things in my note pad and carry around and sometimes I'm unable to write because of infection control and because the job requires me to observe, listen to patients, listen to my colleagues and recalled what they have said. I was so frustrated the other day that I couldn't hold back but started crying because my Educator told I need to not write everything. I cried out to God for healing and exercise faith as I know how but no changes. I'm so happy when it's Sabbath because I get the best sleep. I questioned God, why He allowed me to come to study if my memory is an issue and knowing full well I need good memory for the field of work I'm in? Im struggling with my dissertation and I'm concern that in the next 3 weeks when i'll be presenting i'll not remember some of the information. The Question that is put forth really burns within. I don't know why God hasn't heal me yet...but I'm feeling frustrated but continue to be hopeful.
Hi Nikki
I can appreciate your experience more than you might know. Not too long ago my wife completed her medical training. Part way through she experienced a medical condition that significantly impacted her memory - in addition to the stress of the course that also doesn't help memory - and she too wondered if she would make it. One time I spoke with her and said that if it was within God's plan for her to serve in that area, He would enable her to do it.
Many times along the way my wife was sure she wouldn't pass. She did her best and we committed her journey to God. She did pass - and we credit God for that. There have continued to be significant challenges along the way - even to the present. And she continues to trust God to make a way - one way or another. And God keeps making a way.
I asked my wife what she would say in response to what you wrote. She said that unfortunately study can be very difficult. She also said that she has to write a lot or she doesn't remember - and that's just what she has to do. Her peers don't - but she does. And to trust in God to make a way - wherever that way leads. Her experience also testifies to the truth of what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9.
You have sought God with all your heart. He is faithful. Do the best you can without destroying your health and God will order your steps and make your path straight - wherever that path leads (Proverbs 3:5,6). You can learn to rest in that promise like my wife and I have both learned - and continue to practice.
My dearest brother, thanks for your timely response. I'm encouraged by your wife's experience. Thanks for your encouraging words! God bless!