Rest for the People of God

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Hebrews 4:9-10

by me, Tina...

A year or so ago, my husband and I were led by the Spirit to begin incorporating a Shabbat or sabbath night into our lives. We incorporated this night beginning Friday evening and continuing through Saturday night. This has been a special night to us which includes a special meal together by candlelight, songs and music together, praying and reading the Scriptures, watching a movie either together or the children by themselves, often friends coming over for prayer and fellowship. This has been a very special time of "rest" for us after a long week. We love to guard our time in this night, as it is very dear to us.

While studying Hebrews 4 tonight, Nami and I began to learn even more about the true rest that Jesus brings in our lives. The word rest in the Greek means to "repose" or lie down. I believe the rest which is described in these passages involves more than a physical lying down of our bodies, but a spiritual lying down as well. The rest we have been given as believers in Christ is a rest that is continual, it is a state of "being at rest." We are not striving or working our way unto salvation; we are resting in that salvation, the finished work of Christ.

Regardless of the circumstances, there is a rest for us who believe, for us who are His children. In addition to the blessing of a day of physical and spiritual resting that the Lord provides for us, there is that shalom, that peace that passes understanding that we can have as we learn to rely upon and be led by His Holy Spirit. We are like a painting I once saw of a little bird in a nest amidst a great tempest whirling all around. Yet, the bird was snug in its nest, fast asleep.

This rest also reminds me of Jesus sleeping on the boat in the midst of a great storm at sea when all of His disciples were thrashing about, fearful and angry that Jesus was sleeping. How could He sleep, or "rest" at a time like this?! It was so unordinary, so unnatural, that they couldn't comprehend it. The same goes for us.

There have been times lately when I should have been upset. Yes, really, I could have easily been angry, upset, or fretful. But what happened instead? I had such a peace and "rest" within me that I could not even force myself to be angry! It is so amazing when this happens that it can only be the "rest of God" that is at work! It is so supernatural.

The good news is that we can walk in this rest every moment of every day as we surrender to Him and abide in Him. I firmly believe this. We don't have to wait for a certain day to be at rest, whether it be Friday, Saturday or Sunday. We don't have to fret, worry or stress the week away and then come to the end and say "Whew, now I can rest!" No! We can rest in Him now. Rest in His love. Rest in His goodness. Rest in His protection and provision. Don't try to work for His love. That is legalism. Obey Him out of love for Him, out of a heart truly at rest, not out of compulsion or some other motivation. He loves a cheerful giver! A cheerful giver who is at REST in HIM!

Cease from your own works. Cease from doing good deeds out of the flesh. Learn to rest in Him alone and wait upon Him. Labor in the word of God to be closer in fellowship to Him. This is the only labor that is fruitful for learning to rest in Him, following the Spirit and the Word.

Ah, Lord, teach me to find my rest in you alone, in your atonement for me, in your love for me. Help me to trust you enough to rest that your grace is sufficient for me in all things and at all times. Amen.