In times of difficulty, it is easy to find ourselves worried or anxious for the next steps in life. Trying to find our purpose and knowing which way to go can be discouraging. The not knowing and not wanting to make a mistake is something that really gets us all. In this walk as a believer, their will come times of uncertainty. Our job in this time is to rest in God knowing that he has it all figured out for us; we ought to continue the last thing God told us to do. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves because things are not moving. WE should always be still and have faith in God's outcome of the situation.
Psalms 46:10 Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the Earth.
In Hebrews 4:1 It shows us that Gods rest is something that is promised to us at all times. Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. We should never forget that God is the author and finisher of our faith and always has a way out of all situations for us. Because we know this, we can enter into his perfect peace and rest for our lives. We don’t want to be the like Israelites who treated God with contempt because they did not get their way and forsake him. In Numbers 14, we see the clearly why God told Moses and Arron why they would not enter the promised land along with the older Israelites, I encourage you to read. People like this cannot enter Gods rest. We must keep our garment of praise for God at all times. This way we are able to see his glory made manifest in our lives. In Matthew 11:28, God wants us to come to him with our issues to give us his rest.; come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
What keeps Us from His Rest?
According to the bible, disobedience is what keep us from the rest of God. In Numbers 14:21-23, we see that the disobedience of the Israelites kept them entirely from the promised land of God. They did not trust in God or acknowledge God on their journey. They cursed God and did not respect the signs and wonders God gave. The Israelites had a lack of trust in the father which led to their own demise in the end. But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. 22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; 23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it.
In Proverbs 3:5-6 God tells us with should trust his understanding rather than our own which usually leads us down the wrong path as our knowledge is not infinite at Christ's knowledge is. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. We should always remember to go back to Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. God is not limited is his doings for us, we are the limited ones. His ways are not are ways, and his thoughts are not our thoughts. We have to understand that God is the perfecter, he will not leave us to a half future but a whole future full of fruit.
These verses are a heavy remainder that God is always with us, and when trials come, he is our guide and our fortress we stand on. He sees all that we experience and it is all for his glory in the end. God never fails to honor his children in their sacrifice for him. He will bring us up and out in dew season, we are to remain in him and trust the process. Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. This goes for everything we do for God; he loves when we make time and sacrifice for him. He sees all that we go through and when the time is right, he will open that door of abundance with us.
“You may be qualified for a position, but you’re not ready for that position.” God knows exactly what he is doing, and we need to rest assuredly that our God is for us, and not against us. Sometimes we want things fast because we are qualified, and we have the skill or training for it. God searches the heart posture; we may have all qualifications but not enough of the fruits of the spirit. Myself included, I want God to continue to perfect me so when the time is ready for my cup to overflow, I can be trusted with the position God has given me. Luke 16:10, God tells us that we have to be ready for our increase no matter the placement. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. Rest today in knowing that God is perfecting you through his blood, and working on you and searching your hearts.
How Do We Rest?
It is a simple as increasing your faith in Christ Jesus, our trust in him is what keeps us in a state of rest. Holding on to the hope of the future rather than focusing on the issue in front of us. Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. When we as believers have an understanding for the will of God in our lives; we are able to be still and know that he is our God at the end of the day. Trusting and believing in him when nothing is going right in our lives shows our faithfulness towards him. Never doubting that the power of God is within us, and he has a greater purpose for our struggles. We do this holding fast to his word, and clinging to it in difficult times.
Habakkuk 2:3, For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
In Ephesians 6: 13-15, we are encouraged to put on the full armour of God so that we can hold fast like Job in the testing period of our lives and not doubt. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Keep on our garment of praise at all times remembering to create that atmosphere of glory unto God where ever we go. This is another crucial part of maintaining your peace and rest in the father.
In 3 John 2, we see again that God’s intentions for us are for good and not for bad. He will bring to fruition all that we need when the time is right. Trust in him in all your ways and he will direct you. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. His desires for us all are to prosper and be in good health, he will use us in the right season and brig us out in the right season. Have hope and faith that Gods got your back, and you do not labour in vain. Rest in his presence through praise and thanksgiving unto God. Renew your joy and strength in Christ Jesus, rest faithfully in him. Psalms 16:11
Amen!
