And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest for a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

Mark 6:31

After having hectic days at work, struggles in life, loss of loved ones or family issues that plague us, have we said, “I just want to run away and hide where I can have solitary rest”?

The twelve disciples had just returned from their first mission-ary trip, after Jesus had commanded them to preach the king-dom of God and had given them power to cast out demons and heal the sick (see Luke 9:1-6). They were excited, and at the same time tired, from all the activities.

The invitation of Jesus to “come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest for a while” sounded like a great idea. If you read on, though, they could not get away from all the people, but it was ok, because they were with Jesus in person.

We have opportunity at any time to just stop what we are doing and find solitary rest with Jesus through prayer. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving us rest from our worldly problems. We pray that, because of the peace You brought us, we will not be afraid or troubled.

Daily Reading: Proverbs 18

– Contributed by Paul Obermann