The Place of Rest

My husband spent a significant part of his childhood shepherding sheep. Our daughters love it when he shares stories of rising early and taking the sheep to their pastures. Long before school began, he reluctantly rolled out of bed to take the sheep to the meadows to eat grass. After returning from school with backpacks and homework, they would head back to the meadows to continue to look after the sheep.

It’s no fun for children to tend to sheep because they only do one of two things: eat and rest. Immediately after a satisfying meal, my husband shares that sheep are on an important mission to find a peaceful, shaded resting spot. 

Surprisingly, their rest does not involve sleeping but rather a state known as "ruminating." During this process, they regurgitate their food, chewing it slowly and methodically, moving it from one side of their mouth to the other, sometimes for hours on end. 

The Bible frequently connects sheep with believers. Followers of Jesus are often referred to as sheep.

Just as the sheep my husband tended found rest in their quiet, comfortable state of ruminating, we can find spiritual rest when we get comfortable and quiet in God's word. It's our quiet time alone with God in the prayer room.  

The word ruminate also means to think deeply about something. Like the sheep, we can ponder and reflect on God's word. Our spiritual rest is not in sleep but in meditation on his word. Worry and anxiety transform into peace and tranquility when we 'consume' his word and intentionally think about it.

"

...they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid." (Zep. 3:13 NKJV)

Supporting Text

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good." (Is. 55:2)

Whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. (Pr. 1:33)

Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart. (Jer. 15:16)