The 'Rest Round About' Blessing - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) September 26, 2025

Have you ever heard of the term "rest round about"? It is found in the King James Bible and is a fancy, old English way of saying a person has peace. But as is always the case with God, "rest round about" is deeper than just peace as we imagine it. It's not just the absence of war, but also a victory over a person's opponents that is so conclusive and decisive that their enemy doesn't think to challenge. This is a gift that only God can give. Given the nature of the world today and the way satan has organized its horde to contend with God's children, "rest round about" is a blessing we all need to pray for.

King David was a simple man who tended to his father's sheep when he was young. His existence was flipped upside down the day High Priest Samuel anointed him to be his nation's next king. A young man who'd been treated as the runt of the litter in his household suddenly had a target on his back. The king, Saul, hated him, and even though he became his son-in-law, that didn't stop Saul from trying to kill him for years. In the process, David lost his first wife, was chased into the barren desert, and lived in caves while on the run. He spent over a decade in God's hands, being molded into the king God would later say was pleasing to Him. And one day, the Bible says in 2 Samuel 7:1 - And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies (KJV).

After the turmoil and the tears, God rewarded David with complete victory over everyone who'd challenged him. He no longer had to look over his shoulder. Not only did he have peace, but his people also enjoyed "rest round about' during his reign. The promises of the Lord had come to stay, and he could finally worship the Lord in peace. The privilege of this blessing stretched beyond David's reign into that of his successor, King Solomon. God not only gave his son a peaceful reign overall, but also granted wisdom, wealth, and more. In fact, the only incursions to that peace arose due to sin. David's sin led to war and division in his family. Solomon bowed to the gods of his foreign wives, and that resulted in his son inheriting a fractured and diminished nation, ruling over 2 tribes instead of twelve.

And that is a lesson we must all keep in mind. God is more than able to grant us "rest round about" and it is a generational blessing that will extend to our descendants. As long as we serve the Lord and do not turn away from Him, the blessing will remain. Alas, we often bow under pressure and thereby squander the "rest round about" privilege. We cannot forget that God is transactional and has conditions for His blessings. If we stand firm in our faith and do not turn to idols for comfort and provision, then no enemy - not even satan - will be able to stand in our way. Our 'realm' will be quiet, as it was for Joshua and King Jehoshaphat when the "rest round about" blessing arrived for them (Joshua 21:44; 2 Chronicles 20:30). That's also when we'll experience what Jesus promised in John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

May God's "rest round about" be your portion and that of your descendants, IJMN, Amen. Come join us today when we will pray for God's "rest round about".

As you wait for fellowship at 12 Noon EST, learn more from these previous P&P messages:

1. God, the Avenger

2. Job, satan and Return on investment

3. His glory rises upon me!

4. The Peace That Surpasses All Understanding

5. satan Has No Hold Over Me

6. Your Miracle Is On The Way

7. Topic: God The Defender