Ray Charles says that he has ‘Georgia on his Mind’ and Willie Nelson says that she was ‘Always on His Mind.’ Have you ever had anything on your mind? Have you ever talked to somebody that seemed distant during your conversation and when you asked them about it, they said, “I’ve got something on my mind?” I think you can easily answer yes to both of these. Our mind is a fertile ground that easily sprouts endless thoughts, emotions, fears, anxiety and at times even down right terror. Some can even become so intense they can rob us of our sleep and have us tossing and turning all night as we subconsciously are still fighting the fight. Some are temporary but some can move in and stay well beyond their welcome.
Today in Leviticus 3 we look at God’s instructions for the peace offering. There are 5 different offerings described in Leviticus, the burnt offering, the meal offering, the peace offering, the sin offering and the trespass offering. All 5 will be dealt with briefly in the first chapters of Leviticus and then more in depth later in the book. The 5MC has already looked at the burnt and meal offerings in chapters 1 and 2, you can find these studies at The5MC.com.
The peace offering appears on the surface to be very similar to the burnt offering but yet it’s few nuances create a difference in purpose that is essential to see. You see the burnt offering focused on the act of atoning for the sin of the individual that was offering the animal. The peace offering builds upon that and goes further. You see, it’s a process. When we come to God and seek a relationship, it doesn’t just happen all at once. Sure, His salvation happens all at once, but building a personal relationship with God takes time.
If you’re married or in a relationship, think back to the courting phase. Think about how you knew that person at the very beginning. I think about the first date that Margie and I ever had. It was at Tony Roma’s, you know the old rib place. I’ll never know why I thought eating a huge plate of sticky ribs was smart for a first date. I like to tell myself it wasn’t a lack of thought, it was a sign of how comfortable I already was with her. That’s what I tell myself anyway. I vividly remember looking across the table into her eyes and feeling the seed of love planted firmly and deeply within my soul. Twenty four years later that seed has grown into a beautiful, full, robust tree that is continually sprouting new growth. Why? Well, we have spent untold hours together. We’ve had highs and lows, sweet moments and sour moments, laughs and tears. All together. But the seed that was planted across that plate of ribs long ago needed one thing to flourish…time.
It’s no different with God. Christianity is different from all other world religions in that we have personal access to our God. When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, He is yours and you are His. You can pray directly to God, hear directly from God and feel God’s very hand move in your life. You see, time spent with God will grow through the years into a strong relationship that will pale in comparison to the day you called upon Christ to save you.
The Peace offering we see today is all about this. You’ve atoned for your sins through the burnt offering and now it’s time to just simply love God and give Him your best. To give Him the fatted calf. To enjoy His goodness, spend time with Him and simply revel in the grace, mercy and provision that He so generously gives to all of His children. And folks along with that fellowship comes a gift. The gift of peace.
Peace to me could be defined as “absence of evil, worry, fear or turmoil.” It could also be defined as “the presence of great confidence in future events.” Regardless of your definition, there is one truth that cannot be argued, absolute true peace within the soul can only come from one place…Almighty God.
But peace from God does not exist in a vacuum, it bears fruit. And one of the most beautiful, colorful, fresh, crisp fruit it bears, is rest. If you have stuff on your mind that is hounding you, the first thing it will claim is your rest. You see a soul without peace will be a body without rest.
As you engage in sweet fellowship with the Holy Spirit, peace will ensue. And if it’s truly embraced, then rest from the Lord will follow closely. God knows about peace and rest and it's His earnest desire that you enjoy both in abundance through Him. God has much to say about both, let’s read some of God’s Words about the sweet rest He desires for us, both of the soul and of the physical body.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matt 11:28
“ Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.” Mark 6:31
“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.” Psalms 127:2
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:8
“Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.” Isaiah 57:2
“ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7
How do you sleep at night? Do you receive true rest? Do you have things on your mind that are robbing you of peace? If so, then I bet rest is greatly lacking. You see spending time with the Lord will offer you peace. Through that peace He will show you rest. A soul at rest will be a body at rest. If you’re not sleeping well at night, I have a prescription I’d like you to try.
Start with daily time in God’s Word. Each morning spend quiet, still time with God. Start with prayer asking Him to speak peace to you through His Word. Then read and revel in the limitless wisdom of His Words. He will speak specifically into whatever it is that’s on your mind. He doesn’t want your mind on those things, He wants your mind on Him. Through this time, you will experience a shift. A mental shift that moves your mind from non-essentials to the only essential, Jesus Christ. As you experience the miracle of this mental shift, you will experience a physical shift. You will feel the peace of the Lord transform into the rest of the Lord. Your very cells will be permeated by the rest of your creator. You see one cannot exist without the other. If you seek the peace of the Lord through sweet communion with Him, you will find the rest of the Lord. Seek and you will find.
Whatever it is today that’s on your mind, give it up. Give it to God. Work, money, exams, debt, relationship problems, your future, kids, purpose. Give it all to God. You see, it’s quite ironic, you really never have control until you give it away. Give control to God and then and only then will you experience His true peace and rest.
Sleep well Son or Daughter of God.
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