Enter the Rest of the Lord
Happy February!
This picture was taken first Sunday of 2025
As always, February comes in so fast it's hard to believe we were just in January, the beginning of 2025. Whew! This year has already been marked by so many tragedies. Lord, have mercy! The California fires, the DCA plane crash, the Pennsylvania crash, and the ICE witch hunt—Lord, have mercy!
As 2024 was coming to an end, I sought the Lord regarding a personal theme for the new year. In past years, He had always given me a focus for my devotion and spiritual growth. However, this time, I felt so overwhelmed and distracted that I struggled to hear from Him. But in His mercy, He gently placed a word in my heart: Rest. Along with it, He led me to Exodus 33:12-17, emphasizing His presence.
At first, I held on to the word and scripture, but I hadn't deeply meditated on or prayed about it. Yet again, in His mercy, God spoke to my heart in the early hours of the morning—just a few days ago—after hearing about the DCA plane crash. His voice resonated in my spirit with a question, which I paraphrase here:
Yemi, do you remember the last time I gave you "Rest" as your theme for the year? What happened?
Immediately, it clicked! It was 2020—the year of COVID-19. Ha! That was the last time God had given me "Rest" as my theme, and little did I know how much that word would shape my journey through the chaos, pain, and uncertainty that followed. I had no idea that the world would shut down or that we would face a global crisis. Yet, in the midst of it all, God carried me.
Reflecting on 2020, I realize that despite the challenges, I truly found rest—not just physical rest, but rest in knowing that God was in control. He used that season to teach me about faith, resilience, and leaning fully on Him. In that time, I launched my YouTube channel, sharing cooking videos, wellness talks, blogging, and creating content. What seemed like a year of stagnation turned into a year of growth and transformation for me.
Now, as I step into 2025, a year that has already begun with its own share of trials, I hold on to this promise again:
Exodus 33:14—"My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
Just as God assured Moses of His presence, He assures us today. No matter what storms may come, His rest is available to us. His presence is our peace. And so, my dear friends, I invite you to enter into the rest of God. Lay down your burdens, trust in His sovereignty, and walk in His peace.
The rest of the Lord will keep us in Jesus' name. Amen.
Repeat the following declarations for yourself and your loved ones.
I have favor in the sight of the Lord (Exodus 33:12).
The Lord knows me by name.
I have found grace in the sight of the Lord—Exodus 33:12.
God’s presence goes with me.
The Lord gives me rest. (Exodus 33:14)
I never walk alone.
The presence of the lord goes before me.
I will not move without the presence of the Lord guiding me. (Exodus 33:15)
God distinguishes me from the world for I am His chosen one. (Exodus 33:16)
The Lord answers my prayers and grants me His favor. (Exodus 33:17)
I am known by God, and I walk in His grace and favor.
The presence of God gives me peace.
My feet are ordered by God.
I am in the right place at the right time
No trauma or calamity is permitted to come near me
I seek the Lord’s guidance in every step I take.
I am set apart for God’s purpose, and His glory is upon me.
God’s goodness is upon me.
I am divinely approved by God.
I am distinguished, for the presence of God sets me apart.
The lovingkindness of God is upon me.
The compassion of God envelops me.
The name of the Lord goes before me.
The lord bless me Numbers 6: 22- 26
The Lord keep me
The Lord gives me rest
The countenance of the Lord is upon me.
The Lord is gracious unto me.
The Lord make His face to shine upon me.
The Lord answers me , when I call unto to Him.
The Lord guides me in all my ways. (Amen).
