Re: [Worship] A Question

[Chih Yuan Ku <ku@students.wisc.edu>]

Here's a reflection on the subject of the "resting place" of the Lord...

A "resting place" is a place where one feels comfortable, it's a prefered place
of dwelling. It sets my heart in awe to think that the Lord wants to make us His
resting place.

Think about Isa 66:1-2
Thus says the Lord,
"Heaven is my throne and earth is My footstool.
Where then is the house you could build for Me?
And where is a place that I may rest?
For My hand made all these things,
Thus all these things came into being," declares the Lord.
But to this one I will look,
To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word."

Chih yuan

"Bruce L. Johnson" wrote:

> Lois,
>
> The background for this language is the prayer of Solomon at the dedication
> of the Temple,
>
> In 2 Chr 6:41, in the KJV, we read,
> "Now therefore arise, O LORD GOd, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark
> of thy strength."
>
> Ps 132 retells the story, including similar language,
> "Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength"  (v. 8,
> again in the King James).
>
> Ps 68:1 and Num 10:35 reflect the same basic idea.     Behind it all is the
> story of the exodus from Egypt through to the conquest of the land and
> establishment of God's temple in Zion  --God marching out, saving his people
> and leading them to his mountain, where he sits down on his throne in his
> "resting place" in the midst of his people  (the picture is also found at
> the end of the Song by the Sea in Exodus 15.)
>
> The imagery of the song certainly fits in with this --with God's glory
> 'filling this place' as it filled the Temple.
>
> Now I know the song you're citing says "arise FROM your rest [i.e., your
> 'resting place']"  rather than "into."        But I think the reason is
> probably as follows.   Once God is enthroned, it makes sense to call him to
> arise FROM his throne on his mountain --that is from his 'rest'/'resting
> place' --to display his power, to save and judge.    (Note that there
> several calls in the Psalms for God to "arise" or declarations that he will
> arise  --Ps 3:7, 7:6, 10:12. . .  102:13.)
>
> It might also help to observe that  God's entering his 'resting place' is
> not a matter of slumbering or needing to stop and regain his strength.
> It is simply the final stage --God has won the battle, built his royal
> palace, and entered it to take up his throne as the victorious King.
> In fact, the same idea is behind Genesis 2 is speaking of.  God is 'resting'
> FROM his work of creating.      It's not about his being fatigued and
> needing a break, but about his having completed the work he set out to do.
>
> Bruce Johnson
> www.worshipmap.com
>
> Lois Marchal <lmarchal@pdq.net> writes:
>
> > I have a question/concern about the words to a song
> > and wanted some feedback about this.
> >
> >  "Oh the glory of your presence, We your
> > people give you reverence. Arise from your rest and
> > be blessed by our praise as Your glory now fills this
> > place."
> >
> > My concern is the word talks about God not sleeping
> > or slumbering. He did rest on the seventh day.
> > I have wanted to use this song in the past but did not
> > want to use it if it is scripturally incorrect.
> >
> > What do you think?
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>  Worship List sponsored by WorshipMusic http://www.worshipmusic.com/ -
>  Visit the Worship Resource Center at http://www.praise.net/worship/ -
>  Need help with your subscription?   Contact worship-help@praise.net -
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Worship List sponsored by WorshipMusic http://www.worshipmusic.com/ -
 Visit the Worship Resource Center at http://www.praise.net/worship/ -
 Need help with your subscription?   Contact worship-help@praise.net -
----------------------------------------------------------------------