Entering Into His Rest

Not too long ago I was visiting a patient on the heart floor section of a local hospital. While there, I heard a woman’s voice over an intercom saying, “attention staff, it is now time for quiet hour. Everyone please cease from making any noise to allow a time of peace and tranquility for our patients for the next 2 hours.”

This reminded me of Hebrews 4:9‭-‬11 which reads, “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. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”   And, Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”   These verses reveal to us that a “rest remains for God’s children” and that we are invited to enter into His rest.

The children of Israel were offered a “rest.” While in the wilderness, God through Moses, taught them His statues and commandments and gave them demonstrations of His power through divine protection, provision and guidance. God’s plan was to take them into the Promised Land of Canaan – their rest. The wilderness was their preparation time before going into Canaan.  (Canaan symbolically represented the Kingdom of God.) Unfortunately the children of Israel doubted God’s Word to safely take them into Canaan, so God said “they would not enter into His rest” because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:8-11).

So what is rest for God’s people? The scriptures tell us it is ceasing from one’s work or activity. In other words, we are to stop striving in unbelief, stop striving to live a godly life, and stop striving to live a life of self-sufficiency. Entering into God’s rest is saying “I cease from my own efforts, there is nothing I can do to receive salvation, which is entering into the Kingdom of God through salvation. I must stop trying to be godly! We must change our words and thoughts to acknowledge and confess: I am going to rest securely on what Jesus did on the Cross to purchase my salvation. His sacrifice gives me victory in every area of my life. I surrender my will for God’s and allow Holy Spirit to fight my battles and struggles.”

Friends, before the foundation of the world God prepared this “rest” for His children. This rest is simply “entering into the Kingdom of God” – our promised inheritance accomplished by what Jesus did on the Cross for whosoever will believe and be saved. Believers can experience God’s “rest” now! Surrender all your problems, fears, bad habits, emotional problems, and doubts to Father God. He is powerful enough to carry them and to change your life. Quite striving and enjoy Father God’s peace and contentment now!

Psalms 91 says it best. The psalmist gives us a list of promises of protection and safety when abiding and resting in Father God. The psalmist says we can trust Father God to be our refuge and strength and to deliver us from any situation. What are you waiting for? Run to His Shadow of protection now, Father God will not fail you nor forsake you.