Scripture reminds us that rest is not something we manufacture—it is something we receive from God’s presence. Just as Moses needed reassurance before stepping into the unknown, we often need the same reminder: we are not navigating life alone. God goes with us, goes before us, and stays with us. His presence doesn’t remove every difficult decision, but it does remove the burden of carrying them alone.

In that truth, rest becomes more than physical relief—it becomes spiritual confidence. Worry loses its grip when we remember that God already sees the outcome, already knows the path, and is actively guiding each step forward.

Highlights:
God’s presence is the foundation of true rest in uncertain seasons
Feeling overwhelmed often comes from trying to carry decisions alone
Like Moses, we are reassured that God goes with us into every situation
Rest in God means releasing anxiety, second-guessing, and fear of failure
Trust grows when we believe God is already ahead of our circumstances

Join the Conversation

Where in your life do you feel the need to slow down and trust God’s leading more fully? What would it look like to exchange anxiety for rest in His presence today?

Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/

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Full Transcript Below:

When You Long for Rest

By Cindi McMenamin 

Bible Reading:
“And he said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest’” (Exodus 33:14 ESV). 

Do you ever get tired of trying to solve all-consuming problems by yourself? It’s inevitable at times to lie awake at night, running through the options in our minds, and deliberating about what the best decision might be, and then worrying if that really is the best decision or direction. 

I was there recently, unsure about my next step. I had a number of options in front of me and didn’t want to overlook God’s best for what looked easier or more attainable. For a moment, I felt paralyzed. 

“God, what should I do”? I prayed aloud. “I feel so alone and lost in this.” 

As soon as I mouthed the words, I was convicted by the realization that I am never alone. God’s presence goes with me everywhere I go. He knows all about my situation, and He already sees the solution. And He is leading if I will just follow. 

I wonder if Moses, at one time, could relate. 

When Moses was charged to lead the Israelites into the land of Canaan, he was uncertain of his next step, too. Moses was hesitant because he believed the stubbornness of the Israelites would cause the Lord to decline going up to the land with them. I wonder if Moses, momentarily, thought he was on his own. Did he feel panicked or paralyzed? 

Scripture tells us in Exodus 13:12-13 that Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight.”  

God’s reply to Moses in verse 14 was short and sweet: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  

That was all Moses needed to hear and know. God’s presence would be with him, so he didn’t need to stress, worry, or fear. God had the next step, and the next one after that. And God would give him rest. Rest from feeling he had to do it on his own.  Rest from having to make the correct decision. Rest from the burden, the pressure, the obligations, and the fear of failure. 

How many times have I feared a situation because I’ve forgotten that not only will God go with me, but His presence has already gone before me?  How was this situation of mine any different? God would go with me, and He would give me rest. 

As Moses implied, God’s presence and His rest are evidence that I know Him, and He knows me and has taught me His ways. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Our knowledge of God and trust in Him are evident in how we respond to difficulties and certain crossroads in our lives. Will we worry, stress, or quietly rest in His leading?  Can you trust, regardless of what your situation looks like, that God knows you, He is intimately familiar with your situation, and His presence is going with you in your circumstances to guide you and get you through? Can you rest, not lie awake at night trying to figure it all out, because God already knows how to get you to where He wants you to be? 

Today, I will not be worried, stressed, or fearful because God’s presence goes with me and He will give me rest. His rest means no anxiety, no confusion, and no second-guessing what I should have done. He leads. He accompanies me. He provides peace and rest. And He can provide it for you too. 

Thank you, Lord God, that Your presence goes with us everywhere we go. And thank You for the assurance that You are familiar with all of our circumstances and all of our fears. We praise You today that Your presence means peace and rest. 

Further Study:

Matthew 11:28-29

For a closer walk with God and daily reminders to rest in Him, see my newest book,The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God.

Scripture reminds us that rest is not something we manufacture&mdash;it is something we receive from God&rsquo;s presence. Just as Moses needed reassurance before stepping into the unknown, we often need the same reminder: we are not navigating life alone. God goes with us, goes before us, and stays with us. His presence doesn&rsquo;t remove every difficult decision, but it does remove the burden of carrying them alone.
In that truth, rest becomes more than physical relief&mdash;it becomes spiritual confidence. Worry loses its grip when we remember that God already sees the outcome, already knows the path, and is actively guiding each step forward.
Highlights:
<ul data-start="690" data-end="1061">
<li data-section-id="16vkaik" data-start="690" data-end="760">God&rsquo;s presence is the foundation of true rest in uncertain seasons</li>
<li data-section-id="14h9odw" data-start="761" data-end="833">Feeling overwhelmed often comes from trying to carry decisions alone</li>
<li data-section-id="96xrc4" data-start="834" data-end="909">Like Moses, we are reassured that God goes with us into every situation</li>
<li data-section-id="1j7uwjp" data-start="910" data-end="987">Rest in God means releasing anxiety, second-guessing, and fear of failure</li>
<li data-section-id="3q1tp2" data-start="988" data-end="1061">Trust grows when we believe God is already ahead of our circumstances</li>
</ul>
Join the Conversation
Where in your life do you feel the need to slow down and trust God&rsquo;s leading more fully? What would it look like to exchange anxiety for rest in His presence today?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: <a href="https://forums.crosswalk.com/">https://forums.crosswalk.com/</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
When You Long for Rest
By Cindi McMenamin&nbsp;
Bible Reading: &ldquo;And he said, &lsquo;My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest&rsquo;&rdquo; (Exodus 33:14 ESV).&nbsp;
Do you ever get tired of trying to solve all-consuming problems by yourself? It&rsquo;s inevitable at times to lie awake at night, running through the options in our minds, and deliberating about what the best decision might be, and then worrying if that really is the best decision or direction.&nbsp;
I was there recently, unsure about my next step. I had a number of options in front of me and didn&rsquo;t want to overlook God&rsquo;s best for what looked easier or more attainable. For a moment, I felt paralyzed.&nbsp;
&ldquo;God, what should I do&rdquo;? I prayed aloud. &ldquo;I feel so alone and lost in this.&rdquo;&nbsp;
As soon as I mouthed the words, I was convicted by the realization that I am never alone. God&rsquo;s presence goes with me everywhere I go. He knows all about my situation, and He already sees the solution. And He is leading if I will just follow.&nbsp;
I wonder if Moses, at one time, could relate.&nbsp;
When Moses was charged to lead the Israelites into the land of Canaan, he was uncertain of his next step, too. Moses was hesitant because he believed the stubbornness of the Israelites would cause the Lord to decline going up to the land with them. I wonder if Moses, momentarily, thought he was on his own. Did he feel panicked or paralyzed?&nbsp;
Scripture tells us in Exodus 13:12-13 that Moses said to the Lord, &ldquo;See, you say to me, &lsquo;Bring up this people,&rsquo; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, &lsquo;I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.&rsquo; Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
God&rsquo;s reply to Moses in verse 14 was short and sweet: &ldquo;My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
That was all Moses needed to hear and know. God&rsquo;s presence would be with him, so he didn&rsquo;t need to stress, worry, or fear. God had the next step, and the next one after that. And God would give him rest. Rest from feeling he had to do it on his own.&nbsp; Rest from having to make the correct decision. Rest from the burden, the pressure, the obligations, and the fear of failure.&nbsp;
How many times have I feared a situation because I&rsquo;ve forgotten that not only will God go with me, but His presence has already gone before me?&nbsp; How was this situation of mine any different? God would go with me, and He would give me rest.&nbsp;
As Moses implied, God&rsquo;s presence and His rest are evidence that I know Him, and He knows me and has taught me His ways.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Our knowledge of God and trust in Him are evident in how we respond to difficulties and certain crossroads in our lives. Will we worry, stress, or quietly rest in His leading?&nbsp; Can you trust, regardless of what your situation looks like, that God knows you, He is intimately familiar with your situation, and His presence is going with you in your circumstances to guide you and get you through? Can you rest, not lie awake at night trying to figure it all out, because God already knows how to get you to where He wants you to be?&nbsp;
Today, I will not be worried, stressed, or fearful because God&rsquo;s presence goes with me and He will give me rest. His rest means no anxiety, no confusion, and no second-guessing what I should have done. He leads. He accompanies me. He provides peace and rest. And He can provide it for you too.&nbsp;
Thank you, Lord God, that Your presence goes with us everywhere we go. And thank You for the assurance that You are familiar with all of our circumstances and all of our fears. We praise You today that Your presence means peace and rest.&nbsp;
Further Study:
Matthew 11:28-29
For a closer walk with God and daily reminders to rest in Him, see my newest book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Loneliness-Devotional-Closer-Connection/dp/0736989250/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2S9YRHB4MSKZR&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TmMnSOVvCMTwhHlx85y3XjGXf3_3YngV6Aac9qHg--TC22sSLZWj6K5tsD_Nn8bGKOq6RQ9vX9-WoB69FeJrtS4-v-oYNbRh8WrQ2Fy1ZoQcfajvANjvlhX">The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God</a>.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

When You Long for Rest

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/343ddad1-284c-4c9a-ad09-b478011474b0/transcript