Following In the Footsteps of Faith
How to Use the Rest Areas of Life
Genesis 21:33-34
Intro: There are times in life that are simply difficult to tolerate! There are battles to fight, valleys to cross, long nights to endure and storms that must be weathered. All you have to do is read the story of Job, or just live in this world for any length of time and you will know what I am saying is true. These times are not sent because the Lord wishes to cause us trouble. Rather these trials of life are the tools that shape us into His likeness. Therefore, even though they are difficult, they are a blessing in disguise.
Despite how we feel sometimes, life isn’t all bad. We would all have to admit that there are times when the Lord inserts times of peace into our lives. He allows us to pass by some "still waters" and He causes us the "lie down in green pastures." I thank God for those times in my life and I know you do too! Just as surely as the troubles of life are sent into our lives to grow, mature and strengthen us, the rest periods of life are sent for their purpose as well.
This chapter is all about a rest area in the journey of Abraham’s life. I would like to point out a few uses for these rest areas of life. When the times of rest come, knowing how to use them properly allows us to extract from them all the blessing that God wants us to get. So let me preach to you this morning on How to Use the Rest Areas of Life.
I. For Settling down in the Best Places (vv. 33)
A. The middle part of this passage has to do with a transaction between Abraham and Abimelech, v. 22-31.
• This transaction saw seven sheep change hands.
o These seven sheep were a testimony that the well belonged to Abraham.
o The well became known as "Beersheba", which means "The well of the seven-fold oath."
• Wells were of vast importance to men like Abraham.
o They needed them to ensure the lives of their flocks, herds and families.
o It was by this well of sweet water that Abraham settled down and enjoyed this rest area of life.
B. When the fur is flying in your life, it is harder to concentrate on your walk with the Lord.
• But, we should take advantage of the calm times of life to enhance our relationship with Him.
• If we can learn to love Him during the lulls of life, then we won’t have to work nearly as hard to find Him during the storms!
C. What I am encouraging is a life that zeros in on God through prayer, worship and the study of His Word.
• A life that doesn’t wait until everything falls apart to confess its sins and seek His face.
o But, a life that is lived in a place of closeness day by day, even when things are good.
o A life that finds a place of consistent growth in the things of the Lord is a life that He can use for His glory!
• A good example of this truth is the life of Job.
o He called on the Lord when things went wrong, Job 1:20-22.
o He was able to do it quickly because he had spent time in the Lord’s presence when things were going well, Job 1:1, 5, 8.
D. If we can ever learn to settle down in the best places of His blessings during the good, restful times of life, we will not be so easily blown off course when the adverse winds of trials begin to blow against us!
II. For Involving Yourself with His Worship (v. 33)
A. Abraham used this calm period of life to call on the name of the Lord.
• He used this time to deepen his relationship with God.
• This certainly equipped him for the battles that were still to come in life.
B. Why is it that so many people wait until the bottom falls out to call on the Lord?
• The best time to worship Him is all the time!
• It says far more about your character when you are consistent in worship than it does for you to wait until you are in trouble to call on Him.
• Many people treat God like He is a spare tire!
o Pull Him out when life goes flat; then put Him away again when the crisis has passed.
C. Don’t wait until some calamity comes to run to Him, be in the business of seeking His face day by day.
• Then, when the trials do come, you are already close to Him.
• That is why church, Bible reading and prayer are so vitally important.
III. FOR INVESTING IN THE FUTURE (v. 33)
A. This verse tells us that Abraham planted a "grove".
• This simply means that he planted a tree.
• He is making an investment for the future.
• At his age, he may never enjoy the coolness under its shade, but Isaac will, and his grandchildren will.
• Abraham is looking beyond himself to those who will follow and is making a difference for them while he can.
B. Use the rest areas of life as times to make an investment in the future of the Lord’s kingdom work.
• Is there a young person you can mentor?
o Is there a life you can impact for the glory of God?
o Is there someone’s life that you can be a blessing to for the glory of the Lord?
• This is what the Lord intends His people to be doing - Titus 2:2-5.
C. There will come a time when your life will be wracked by the winds of adversity.
• When those times come, your focus will be so inward that you will not be able to make a difference for others.
• The time to reach out is when things are going smoothly.
• Sadly though, too many believers live their lives for self, with no concern for anyone else.
IV. FOR INVENTORYING HIS BLESSINGS (vv. 1-8)
A. As those peaceful days unfolded for Abraham, he was able to spend the time listening to the laughter of Isaac and Sarah.
• He was able to contemplate all that the Lord had done for him and how God had blessed his life.
• It was a time for him to inventory the blessings of the Lord.
B. Being thankful for the blessings of the Lord in the days when life is good is a great way to prepare for those times when it is less than pleasant!
• Living in the constant awareness of the Lord’s goodness and blessings in your life is a hedge against doubt, fear and uncertainty when the hard days of trials come.
• God would have us to be a thankful people.
C. Friends, don’t take the easy days of life for granted!
• They will not last forever, but while they are here, use them as times to rejoice in the blessings of the Lord and to prepare for the trials that are coming.
Closing
At this point in his life, Abraham was well aware of all that he had already been through. He knew what the storm felt like! He knew how dark the valley could be and he knew how long the night could last. But, he did not know what was around the next corner! If he had been able to see the future, he might not have ever chosen to face it. God in His wisdom, used this rest area time in Abraham’s life to prepare him for the trial that was just ahead.
You know, you and I cannot see tomorrow either! We don’t know what is ahead. And truthfully I am just glad that God, in His wisdom, plans a few rest areas along the way for us to enjoy. He gives us the times of refreshment and peace to help us to recover from our past battles and to prepare ourselves for the trials that lie ahead.
Friends, are you using the rest areas of life to their full advantage? If you are in one of life’s lulls, thank God for it, and ask Him to help you to use it for His glory. If you are in the middle of a storm this morning, why not come before Him and thank Him for the battle you are fighting and thank Him that somewhere out there, there is a rest area coming with your name on it!
