“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107: 8-9.

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life we feel pressured to just get the job done! Strong work ethics and the tenacity to be goal oriented is a product of the society that I was raised in, and yes, these aspirations are all great when accomplishing our goals…but even with good intentions when we hurriedly forgo the peace, rest, and gratitude to God for giving us the wisdom, strength and know how to do all things, it becomes what one writer calls- a double weakness!

So, what did he exactly mean? I surmise that the embedded ethics to rapidly push forward and complete our purposes, while all good-becomes a negative when we refuse to set aside time to stand still or stop, rest and give God the glory for all that He has done for us and continue to do through us.

God instructed us to rest and reflect on His goodness from the creation of the world- Genesis 2:2-3 states: “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

God instituted the Sabbath and sanctified it- it was to be holy and set apart from all others-a time not only for physical rest, but a renewal in the spirit, remembering and being thankful for all the innumerable blessings that come only from God. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17.

And while, I can imagine you’re saying…but I am thankful for all that God has done-but yet you push on without stopping to take a breath…moving to the next things to check off your list for the Lord, the next lost person, building activity etc. and did you stop at the completion of the very first item on your list to give thanks to God for giving you all the wisdom, strength and grace that you needed to accomplish His will on that project?

Consider the account of Martha and Mary, who were Lazarus’ sisters in the book of Luke chapter 10. Jesus visits their home, Martha was busy preparing a meal for the Lord, and Mary set at his feet. Martha was livid to say the least that Mary was not busy helping…but what did Jesus say to her in a loving manner about her sister desiring to sit at his feet?  “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42. The key is spiritual first, then physical!

Let us take the time to slow down, stop, and focus our attention on the Lord, showing our gratitude and dependence on Him, because if we don’t stop, we might just fall apart-then how useful are we in ministry-we can never allow the enemy to turn our strengths into weaknesses, we must put first things first…to God belongs all the glory!

“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107: 8-9.