The natural reaction when things aren’t going our way and situations look bad, is to work more, try harder, strive more intensely – yet as we examine the scriptures, what we find is a different reaction being demonstrated over and over again. A reaction that is not one of stress, worry, striving or fear, but a reaction of rest.
This is not the kind of reaction that we typically expect, because it is not a worldly reaction; and it is not a worldly type of rest either. It is not “sitting on your hands and doing nothing” as opponents of this rest might imply; but it is a rest that originates in our spirit, as we behold the finished work of Christ and live our new identity in Him.
So as we begin today, let us consider a few simple facts based on what we know about God and His character, as well as our new identity in Him:
First, God is our Father. As such, we know that He loves us. (John 16:27), and we know that He desires the very best for us in all things. (Jeremiah 29:11). This is proven and established in the fact that He sent Jesus to die in our place, and in Him we have every single promise of God. (2nd Corinthians 1:20)
Second, we know that the Spirit which He has given to us (His Holy Spirit) is not a spirit of bondage or fear, but it is a Spirit of power, love and a sound mind. (2nd Timothy 1:7)
Third, we know that God will never leave us alone, nor will we ever abandon us, or cause us to have to fend for ourselves. (Hebrews 13:5-6)
These facts alone should be enough to squash fear, and stop worry in its tracks.
And furthermore, He knows that you cannot do anything on your own. Jesus plainly says in John 15:5, that apart from Him, you can do nothing. So He knows that our ability to accomplish anything apart from Him is nil and zero. Therefore, you can be sure that He will never put you in a position to rely on yourself or the strength of your flesh. Neither will you ever “outgrow” your need for Him.
I’ve spoken with some people in the past who have held a belief that as they “mature” in Christ, that God will allow them to do some things on their own, either as a test, or simply because they could “handle it” as a result of their spiritual maturity. However that position is entirely anti-scriptural. As we have just read, there will never be a point where you will be able to accomplish anything in your own strength – simply because all your strength actually comes from God! (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Furthermore, Paul even states in Romans 7:18, that in him (in his flesh) dwells no good thing. Your flesh, your strength, your intellect has no power in and of itself to produce anything good. Everything good that is produced in you comes from God and Him alone. Often, we fail to acknowledge this, but He knows it none-the-less, and this is why His promise about never leaving or forsaking us is so very vital. The fact that you can have confidence in both His continual presence and His continual help and supply is what can cause you to truly rest in every situation.
You see, the original punishment of the fall in the Garden of Eden upon Adam, was that by the sweat and toil, you will eat bread of the land (Genesis 3:17-19). Adam was cursed to toil, struggle, sweat and strive, and even then he would only have limited success because the ground would also produce thorns and thistles (which are also symbols for cares and worries of life, and Jesus mentions in Mark chapter 4).
However this curse was reserved for us in Christ Jesus. He wore the crown of thorns on His head. And consider the words of Psalms 127:1-2:
“Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep.”
This drives home the point which we have been seeing so far, unless the LORD is the One who is doing a thing, the efforts of men are pointless and vain (empty). This is a lesson which everyone needs to learn. We see at the end of verse 2 that He gives His beloved sleep, as opposed to the toil in the late hours for food.
The picture here and the contrast is that one is struggling and striving for provision, while the other is being provided for, while they are resting.
And the idea here is not one of being purposefully dormant or lazy, but rather it has everything to do with (you guessed it!) identity! Because remember that this is not worldly rest that we are speaking of here, but spiritual rest – a rest that can only be entered into by being in Christ knowing what Jesus has accomplished and who we are today in Him as beloved children of God.
So rather than being lazy and sitting on your hands, this kind of rest is a rest where you can move forward with confidence and peace knowing that God is with you, and He is the One who is enabling you to succeed and supplying you in it. You have security with God, you have safety in Him.
Consider the wonderful words of Hebrews 4:9-13:
“There remains therefore a rest to the people of God.
For he that is entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
Let these words speak to you and encourage your heart and your spirit. The rest that God gives to us, is a rest that remains, regardless of what is going on around you. And notice what verse 10 says: whoever has entered into the rest of God, has ceased from his own works… not all work, but from his own works – that is, the works of his flesh – and then it goes on to tell us what the manner of that ceasing is: as God did from His.
So how then did God cease from His work? Well, if we think back to the genesis account of creation, God had completed all of His creating, everything was finished and done, and God simply enjoyed what had been finished and blessed the day.
Likewise, we are advised here to look around at what has been accomplished and completed – namely the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and our complete redemption and rebirth in Him – and to likewise bless the day, and enjoy the finished work.
We are told to labor to enter that rest – which almost seems like a contradiction, but notice the second-part of the verse: lest anyone should fall after the same example of unbelief. So the contrast here is between laboring to enter God’s rest versus unbelief. And this, my dear friend, tells us what this labor actually is… it is belief! Specifically belief on Christ, belief on His Gospel, and His finished work for you.
This is what counts, and this is where true spiritual rest can be found and enjoyed, just as we have been seeing throughout this study today.
And finally, it ends with an encouragement that can strengthen you greatly in verses 12 and 13:
The Word of God (that’s Jesus) is alive and powerful – sharper than any two-edged sword, and is able to divide (or discern) between soul and spirit, and the joints and the marrow. And Neither is there any creature who is not manifested (or made known) in His sight.
This should give you great comfort, because this tells us with absolute certainty, that nothing ever catches God by surprise, everything, and every creature is discerned and made known to Him. Nothing and no-one can ever hide from Him. All plans and all secrets are open and laid bare before Him.
So today my friend, with this knowledge of who God is, what He has accomplished, who you are in Him, and His divine love and care for you, you now can rest safe and secure. You can proceed with confidence, knowing that while you are resting, God is working.
Be blessed.