Trust Jesus and Rest Easy (June 5, 2023)

All many of us need to do is look at our own lives, let alone the frenzy of the world around us, to realize that life in the 21^st century is characterized by extreme restlessness. We are all in a hurry, trying to keep pace with the rhythm of life in a dynamic, hurried culture. Burdened by busyness, we seek to get ahead in our jobs, provide for our families, and keep up with our neighbors as we strive for positions, possessions, and pleasures. Life in this fast-paced age can certainly be exhausting. What we need to do is relax, lighten our load, and get some much-needed rest, both physically and spiritually. Thankfully, as Christians, the LORD Jesus Christ invites us to shun the ways of the world and enter into His divine peace and tranquility!  “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) 

As we face the pressures, the challenges, and the trials of modern living, God wants to be our refuge from the chaos and confusion of today’s society. God invites us into His peaceful haven of rest. Just as by grace through faith, we receive salvation, we enter into God’s rest through unwavering faith in His beloved Son and trusting obedience to His will for our lives. The ancient Israelites were relegated to wandering in the wilderness for 40 years because they lacked the faith to believe in God’s promise that He would drive their enemies out before them and give them the Promised Land. In reference to the rebelliousness of the Hebrew people, the writer of Hebrews (3:18-19) said: “And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” 

Let’s make sure the same unbelief doesn’t prevent us from entering into God’s blissful rest and one day into our Promised Land of Heaven where Christ is preparing a place for those that trust Him as their Savior. Faith is the gateway through which we enter into God’s rest. “For we who have believed do enter that rest.” (Hebrews 4:3) Accessing God’s rest requires the steadfast faith that drives fear, worry, and doubt from restless human hearts. We enter God’s rest by relying not on our own strength but depending upon the Almighty “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” (Hebrews 3:20) To those that trustingly enter into His rest, God promises restoration! “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)