Rest that comes by Faith
Faith is cultivated in our hearts as we continue to listen, believe and align ourselves with God’s holy Word. The stronger our faith, the richer our experience of God’s rest.
Hebrews 4:9-10 speaks of a deeper rest available to believers:
“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His.” (Hebrews 4:9-10, ESV)
This faith makes us rest in God’s faithfulness knowing that He cares for us.
Counting on the graciousness of God and trusting God’s finished work through Jesus Christ fills us with peace.
Entering God’s Rest
1. Recognize GOD as your Source: The government is not your source. The society is not your source. Your job is not your source. Your spouse or sponsor is not your source.
David recognized the Lord as His shepherd in Psalms 23. The Lord made us and we are the sheep of his pasture.
1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; he leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord.
As sheep, we should constantly look to the Lord as our Shepherd – the source of our lives and livelihood. He’s the source of everything we are, and we will ever be, everything we have and everything we will ever have.
Outside of God Almighty, making anyone or anything else as your source of joy, provisions and blessings can bring you disappointment.
Jeremiah 17:5-8
5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord.
6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.
8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not [b]fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.
2. Trust that God is in control – A deep knowing that God is in control and rules in our affairs makes it easy for us let go of worry and allow the peace of God to saturate us even in challenging situations. Regularly reading, listening to, meditating on the Word of God helps to keep us reminded of God’s omnipotence and faithfulness.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3, ESV)
3.Build intimacy with Christ – Cultivating closeness with Jesus keeps our heart at peace. Set your heart to seek the Lord in prayer about the matter that is giving you sleepless nights or making your heart heavy.
“Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7, ESV)
4. Gratitude Galore (before, during, after and always) – What blessedness it is when we have a heart that focuses on thanking always: thanking God before we get answers to prayer, thanking Him while in the process and thanking the Lord after we have received the answers. We strive to keep a posture of gratitude.
Rest assured, you can enjoy the sweet rest and indescribable peace that God provides. Everything starts when we recognize God as our maker, shepherd, father and friend, then we wholeheartedly accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour and make a decision to have personal relationship with Him.
Today, God is calling you to put your trust in Him, embrace His promises and live by the principles in His Word, and you will find true rest.
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