As a child, you probably looked forward to Christmas, bursting with expectation to see what you would be given.  As believers, the Father delights to see you have that expectation, too.  After all, Jesus tells you He’s given you a Kingdom.  (Luke 12:32)  So do you ever wonder:  What does it look like to be given a Kingdom?

Recently, I was studying one of my favorite verses in the Bible:

He also allured you out of distress into a broad place where there was no cramping and what was set on your table was full of fatness.”        Job 36:16  ESV

I recently did a 4 part series called The Gift of Rest Series.  In the post called An Irresistible Rest (found here), we talked about this idea of our good Shepherd bringing us out into a wide open space of freedom.  It’s a beautiful picture of what the gospel is all about.

The good news proclaimed at Christmas and down through the ages is that Jesus wants to bring us out of darkness into light.  To bring us out of a narrow, tight place where our sin and fears keep us and into a broad place of freedom and grace.

So after doing this series on rest and also studying Job 36:16, I sat down one day and wrote out a prayer to God.  My heart was overflowing with what He’s given us.  I’d like to share that prayer with you.

To Be Given a Kingdom

Father, you are so sweet and loving not to prod or push us but instead, you woo us and entice us.  You draw us out of what constricts us and what feels tight and keeps us bound.

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You draw us out from any situation or any person that has vexed us or harassed us or oppressed us.  You are drawing us out from anything that has caused us great pain or anguish in our minds or in our hearts or in our bodies.

You don’t want us to remain there or dwell there, to stay trapped there or to feel hopeless and helpless there. Your desire for us is freedom.

So You come to that tight, narrow place we find ourselves in, and You call us.  You invite us, You entice us with Your love and acceptance and forgiveness and healing.  You woo us with Your goodness and mercy.

You seduce us with Your audacious, extravagant grace.  You whisper, “Come to me!  I’ll give you rest.”

And When We Accept Your Invitation?

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You bring us out!!!  You carry us into a broad, expansive place.  No more cramping!  Nor more being bound and constricted and closed up!

You set us free!

We now have all the space we need to breathe.  To dance and run and jump and leap for joy!

We can go running through the meadow with You with no fear, no hindrances, no restraints, no limitations, no chains!

And when we get tired or just can’t go on, You lift us up on Your shoulders and carry us as You run through these beautiful fields of grace.

Then We See It!

The table in the middle of the large expanse.  It’s a table set for a King.  A feast table.

Photo by Ivan from Pexels 

A dove gently lights down on the table and we know it’s the Holy Spirit come to give us rest.  Peace.  Stillness within.  Quietness of mind and heart.

And the table is full!  Every bowl and every platter is piled to the top and overflowing.  Overflowing with abundance.  More than enough to satisfy.

You invite us to join You.  You laugh and tell us to open our mouths – You will fill us.  Oh, You’ll fill us with all we need and more.  Abundantly full – more than we could think or imagine.

Even in the Midst of Enemies

Our enemies look from the far-out borders of the field.  You’ve actually prepared the table right where they can see it.  And You tell us to go ahead and eat.  Enjoy!

They can’t get to us.  We’re safe because You are with us.  They’ve already been defeated.  We are free because our King won the war and makes us victorious as well.

You remind us that one day, the enemy will be gone for good, but for now?  We can embrace our freedom with our whole hearts. You tell us we can relax and be ourselves.  You won’t ridicule us or shame us or shun us.  You tell us we now belong.

Like little children, we can explore this beautiful space You’ve given us without fear or reservation.  You can’t wait to see us find Your treasures, the secret things You are ready to reveal to us.

Photo by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash

You Keep Calling Us to Come

But for now, You whisper again to come.  Come sit with you at the table.  You have much to tell us about this new place, this Kingdom as you call it, and about Your plans. But for just awhile, You invite us to sit and be with You.

Because we’re home in Your presence.  And all is well.

Thank You, my King!  Thank You!

So thankful to be His daughter with you,

Trish

In the comments below, let’s talk about freedom.  What does it look like to you for Christ to set you free? Let’s share with each other testimonies of His grace!  And if you’re not feeling very free right now, please share that, too.  We’ve all been there and we want to encourage you!

Here are the links to all 4 posts of The Gift of Rest Series:

• An Introduction to Rest
• An Invitation to Rest
• An Insistence to Rest
• An Irresistible Rest

Do you want to see the source of my thoughts for this prayer?  I’ve put the Scripture verses together in the format of a letter from the King to His bride.  You’re going to want to see this!

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