Resting In Linen

RESTING IN LINEN

By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly

As I brought all of you before the Lord this morning, I told Him of my burning desire to bless and encourage you. His response was swift and succinct.  He said,

“I will use you to bless as you choose to rest.”

Rest is counterintuitive and seemed to be the antithesis to productivity. Then Ezekiel  44:17 came to mind.

"When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen clothes; they must not wear any woolen garment while ministering at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple.” – Ezekiel 44:17

The priests who served within the inner courts were to wear only linen clothing—nothing woolen.  Linen represents the imputed righteousness of Christ.  Wool, in some commentaries, represents the works of the flesh and the old covenant sacrifice for sin.

Interestingly, linen keeps us cool, whereas wool can cause us to sweat.  The offering the Lord asks from us is one that is inextricably linked to the work of the cross.  It carries the fragrance of Christ, and not the sweat of old covenant works.

I am here to lift a burden from your shoulders, beloved.  Our service before Him will have the greatest impact and sweetest fragrance, when we rest in the finality of the work of the cross, and lay the outcome of our obedience in His hands.

The weight is lifted when we realize that ultimately everything good comes from the Father—even those things we believe we have created. The Father breathes out inspiration and imparts ability, gifting and favor.

We can exchange our angst for His joy, when we invest our trust in His ability to use our willingness and disability for His glory.  Evidence of our understanding comes when a fruitful harvest is met, not with our hands raised in personal accomplishment, but on our faces humbly pouring out His glory.

Father, we choose to wear linen today, exchanging fleshly efforts that smell of sweat, with the superior work that bears the fingerprints and aroma of Christ.  We exchange pride for Your praise, leaving outcomes in Your hands, and resting in the joy of the work of the cross.  In Jesus’ Name ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-of-a-Ragamuffin-Warrior-171515087035441/

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