Morning Devotional

September 1, 2003

"Happy Labor Day"  

by Don Emmitte

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Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (Psalm 91:1-4 NLT).

According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous activity. Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the critical Athenian, “Now, answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bows implies.” The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop explained, “If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.”

People are also like that. That’s why we all need to take time to rest.  

In today’s reading, the wisdom of the psalmist declares that rest is to be found in the “shelter of the Most High.” Today is Labor Day. Many businesses and offices will be closed allowing their employees to take an extra “day of rest.” I hope you are one of those people who will be able to do just that. I am going to go to my deer lease and camp for the day. Maybe I’ll sit by one of the ponds or out in the Mesquite trees. For sure I will enjoy the absence of the noise and rush of schedules, phones, and decisions. There’s really nothing quite as refreshing as watching a sunrise where the nearest house is miles away! Under God’s sky, in His wonderful creation, I am able to understand more of what His “shelter” really is like.  

Getting into that place of shelter where true rest may be found is a matter of faith. It is the yielding of all our anxieties to Him knowing that He is fully capable of caring for every one of them. I know that if God can make the night sky with a single word, or cause the sun to rise blazing the morning sky with vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, or give the birds cause to sing their melodies each start of day, I think He can take care of all my problems! 

Is your bow always bent? Maybe its time to relax a little. Start by setting aside a special time to relax physically and renew yourself emotionally and spiritually. You will be at your best for the Lord if you have taken time to loosen the bow. Have a Happy Labor Day!