Happy Father's Day! Let's Just Rest Awhile

John 12:32 - "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” - Jesus

Matt 11:28 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Everyone loves the Matthew passage! Not everyone, of course, accepts the John passage. But isn't that glorious?  Eventually, all people come to Jesus and (perhaps after some celestial spankings are administered, but they will come, every knee will bow!  Check out Philippians 2)…all people will find rest for their souls. God is good, all the time!! I believe it! 

Somehow when we used to sing that in my former church I would look around and see people who were strong believers in the hideous doctrine of eternal torment singing this song so joyfully.

I was thinking, how in the world can they sing and believe these words if God is going to torment some of their friends and loved ones - forever!! It's just stupefying, really. I realize they probably were singing that thinking God is good by saving THEM and really believed that eternal torment for unbelievers is just, simply because they think God says it is. But he doesn't, and it isn't!  God gave us our brains, and common sense should be enough to tell us that eternal, everlasting retributive punishment is no justice for any crime.  The injustice of such a punishment is comparable to administering the death penalty for a person doing 58 miles an hour in a 55 zone, really, but much, much  worse if someone really thinks about it.   Please think about it and let’s do our part in spreading the glorious news that God really is good, all the time, punishments will be truly just, and he will indeed draw all men (all people, that is), to himself.  His mercy knows no bounds.  It lasts forever! 

I thank God so much for that, for being the truly merciful and kind God he is.  And as I see the truly good news of universal (ultimately) restoration of all things which includes all people, of course, it fills me with a great joy. No wonder Paul could spontaneously erupt into praises to God. I think Paul knew or received the revelation and although (as Peter probably tells us in his disputed 2^nd epistle – disputed or not, the statement is true!) he is sometimes difficult to understand, one can definitely see that there is tremendous, overwhelming support for this good news that it just makes me want to go out and serve him with all my might!!... After a short nap, that is...I'm a little lazy sometimes, at least in my own mind - I'll admit it.

Sleep is a really wonderful gift from God though; there is nothing wrong with a nice snooze.  Sometimes we need to slow down, rest, and just realize that all is well and all will be well.  We are overworked and need to rest.  I can see why God made a Sabbath day.  Never mind the literature the Seventh Day Adventists drop on my front porch when I run my weed-eater on Saturday!  The point is, we need to take some time and just rest in the Lord every week or we are going to burn out.  

God bless! And Happy Father's Day! -David