How well are you resting these days?
That seems like a strange question to ask the first week of January, doesn’t it? Shouldn’t I focus on measurable goals and making something of 2016 instead?
Or does the quality of rest in our lives greatly affect the quality of our days?
Jesus desires to give each of us His rest, and in the gospels, He tells us how to enter into it. “Come to me,” He said, because He is the way. The transaction looks like this: When we come to Him, He gives us rest. Or we don’t come to Him, and then we miss out.
Make note of that–It’s possible for us to miss the rest He offers.
Hebrews 4 warns believers—don’t fall short of God’s rest.
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands–let us be careful–that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. Hebrews 4:1
So then, what is the rest God offers us?
In the fullest sense, God’s rest is a future promise–a heavenly resting place. We cannot enter into it by proving ourselves enough, or by hoping in our own skills and gifts and actions. It’s impossible. We are not that kind of righteous.
We only enter God’s rest through faith in the finished work of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we turn all the details of our lives over to Him, letting Jesus rule as our Lord, we enter His rest like never before.
But there’s more. While on earth, God’s offer of rest also involves a deep, settled peace that fills our hearts and minds, no matter what happens within our days.
How, then, do we be sure to enter His rest? Again, only by faith.
In the wilderness, the wandering Israelites lacked faith in God and His word. They doubted God’s plans and promises. They wanted to go back to what they knew, which was slavery. They didn’t trust God, so instead they lived in restless unbelief.
It doesn’t have to be like that for us!
Don’t fall short of God’s rest by failing to persevere in your faith.
Don’t become complacent with unbelief.
Don’t allow a sinful, unbelieving heart to move you away from God.
Instead, “Let us make every effort to enter that rest” (v. 11).
Let us fight unbelief with regular cleansing by the Word.
Let us strive diligently, to work out our faith, but never to hope in our works.
Do you struggle to trust everything in your life to Jesus? Do you have a hard time letting go of outcomes and relying on Him rather than on yourself?
Sometimes I do. But as I continue to work out my faith in God, I certainly find deeper rest.
Is your heart at rest in Jesus, friend?
It’s never too late to start there, whether 5 days into the new year or 50. Look to Him. Ask Him to help your unbelief. Be diligent to trust in and rely on Him. Enter His rest.
The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24, NLT
Согласен полностью все от Него -Им и к Нему…
I love this, Angela! Such a contrast from so many messages out there right now about doing and goal setting and pushing ahead. Oh how we need and are promised rest. I hope your 2016 is full of holy rest and amazing blessings! #Raralinkup
Thank you Micah! I appreciate the encouragement. Asking God to bless your 2016 and fill it with holy rest as well. 🙂
Thank you for writing this – your words are like a breath of fresh air. I need rest – How often I forget that Jesus is my rest. And these words are for my journal: “Let us strive diligently, to work out our faith, but never to hope in our works.” Amen! Thanks for this encouragement. I’m so glad I stopped by!
Karen, Thank you for your encouragement here…your words breathe life into me today! So grateful!
“I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” I love the tension and contradiction in that verse.
I know. I remember reading that verse at first and just not getting it. But now…loud & clear. Thanks for your comment!
This is a good word for me, Angela. Christmas break was a BUSY time with lots of out of town company, practically a 3 day family reunion, not much time for reflecting on last year, much less goal-setting for this year! So I’m entering 2016 with a sense of “being behind.” You’re reminding me here that I can REST–my word for 2015, but I’m a slow learner–in Christ and trust His plans and His timing! Blessings on you this New Year.
I get that feeling of being behind, Betsy. Especially after holidays or vacation travel. I can feel that way for weeks. Here’s to all of us finding REST in Christ!
I quote Mark 9.24 often! Neighbors at Holley’s today!
I’m with you, Susan! Thanks for stopping by!
Great scripture. Meditating on the Word of God is so rewarding and empowering. Please visit my site also at propheticaffirmations.com
I spent so many years in “restless unbelief.” That is an incredibly difficult way to live. It’s been hard for me to learn how to turn everything over to Him. It seems there’s always something I’m holding onto, thinking I can do it better :). Thank you for this beautiful and much needed encouragement, Angela. Many blessings to you and yours in 2016!
I know, Candace. I don’t ever want to be found doubting God, but it’s a struggle to turn everything over to Him–which is also crazy b/c I don’t really have control over them anyway. Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you for bringing us all to a place of deep breaths and relaxation as we consider all our striving and goal setting is really just fleeting…it is rest we should be seeking! 🙂 #livefreeThursday
Thanks Sarah! I love what you said, that all our striving and goal setting is just fleeting. So true! #livefree