Remembering and Resting

Holy Trinity Church, Huddersfield, Sunday 10th November 2019

This morning I awoke alone. Our daughter, a nurse, was working night shifts this weekend and our son-in-law was away on training. We had arranged to look after our granddaughter on Saturday Night. That was plan A.

Plan A did not work out.

On Thursday came the rain, a whole months worth in one day, our roof sprung a leak and rainwater managed to find its way into the electrics. With a resounding pop that could be heard through the house, the fuze in the lighting circuit blew. We had no lighting and water was dripping from the ceiling lightbulb on the landing. With the house no longer safe for a three-year-old to stay over, Plan A had to be abandoned. Within a day Plans B and C had also been scrapped. Due to our granddaughter being ill, my wife was staying over at Daughter and S-I-L’s house to child sit for two nights while I stayed at home. On Saturday, almost 48 hours after the lighting circuit blew, I thought it ready to replace the fuze as the light fitting had not dripped for nearly 24 hours.

Sunday morning I breakfasted alone, well-rested. Having a double bed to yourself for a couple of nights is a luxury I can recommend, almost as good as when you share it again afterwards. I met with my wife and granddaughter and went to church, arriving in time for the post first service coffee. It was great to warm my hands on the cup as it was a cold morning.

The service theme, in the sermon series ‘Going for God’ was on ‘Faith and Rest.’ We learnt a new worship song about resting in God. The service contained the act of remembrance, with a poppy wreath laid by the church and prayers not only to remember the sacrifice of many so that we can live in peace but also a commitment of us to work for peace.

The sermon: We were encouraged to rest and be thankful before the topic of Faith and Rest was announced. God from the very start addressed the importance of rest and recuperation resting himself in creating the universe.

Many of us live busy lives. Society is ravaged by exhaustion. The church is not exempt. There is a need to prioritise and plan ahead. The 4th commandment, to keep the Sabbath holy and not work is part of what Christ has done for us. Part of our response is looking after ourselves. The Sabbath is a time to take delight in what God has made and carries on making and what we have made has made. We are special to God and God wants to lead us to places of rest. Jesus calls the weary and burdened to come to him and rest.

We can rest in the Lord experience his peace regardless of attitude. Resting in the Lord is knowing you are safe. Jesus says to everyone, “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

In remembrance commend those who have died into God’s Sabbath and peace.

We need to remember what life is truly worth.

The sermon ended with a prayer that we would be enabled to rest in our Saviour.