Be Diligent to Enter and Remain in His Rest

Hi Friends, I hope you are well. It's been a while since I’ve posted to my blog. There has been a lot going on, and hopefully, I will have an opportunity to share everything over in the coming months. I’m back with deep conviction continuing to move forth spread the Gospel. We're definitely a new season, and Today we are looking at a fresh. So break out your Bible, pen, and notebook, and let's get started. There is no greater struggle than to attempt to become who God says we already are or attempt to obtain something God says we already possess. It is like trying to get in a room ~ we are already in. Consider the anxious toil that comes from this frivolous exercise. It's fruitless, especially when the word says, “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,” II Peter 1v3. This word reminds us God has given us everything in Jesus. Some may ask, “Then what’s our part? My friend, our position is to believe Him and receive. The world says, “the struggle is real,” and for them it is; but for us in Christ Jesus, the only labor for us ~ is to be diligent to enter and remain in His rest. Our Scripture for today:

“Let us, therefore, be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience." Hebrews 4v11.

So what is the disobedience referred to in this verse? If you recall, the story of the twelve spies who went to survey the Promised Land. Remember the land God promised them, which is flowing with milk and honey. Well, ten of the spies gave a bad report, which caused the nation of Israel to forfeit the promise, instead spending forty years wandering in the wilderness. They didn’t believe God was good and that He was faithful to do what He promised, which boils down to unbelief. You can read the complete account in Numbers 13-14 or the recap in Deuteronomy 1v19-40. Lack of understanding Whose we are, what He has said, and all He has provided can cause unnecessary heartache, disillusionment, and frustration. A prime example is the very beginning of the Bible with Eve. The enemy tempted her saying, “For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3v5. Adam and Eve had a choice; they could have eaten from the Tree of Life but instead ate from the tree that propelled humanity into the vacuum of sin. Why did they make the wrong choice? Well, we can see it as we carefully examine the verse. First, the enemy made God appear stingy ~ as though He was holding out on them, and nothing could be further from the truth! God is generous and Giver of all givers (John 3v16). He had given them everything; the problem is they didn't know it. Second, Adam and Eve were already made in the image of God (Genesis 1v27). God gave Adam and Eve everything, including the power to choose. God hid in them everything He was going to do through them, and I am reminded it is no different for us today. The temptation of the enemy is the same. He is afraid we will walk in the truth because it means that he no longer poses a threat. The enemy knows we won't be prone to shadowboxing with him anymore because we know he has been conquered (Colossians 2v15). Oh, the love of God. Salvation in Jesus Christ changed everything. The cross of Christ is the finish line of who we were, and at the same time, it is the starting point of who He created us to be in Him (Galatians 2v20). We are new creations in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2v10 & 4v24, Galatians 6v15). There is no us without Him! Who we were was swallowed up in His finished work. When our Abba Father looks at us, and He sees us in Christ. All that Jesus is ~ we are because His Spirit dwells in us (Ephesians 1v13-14). Therefore, where He is ~ is truly where we are, seated at the right hand of majesty, above all principality (Ephesians 2v6). The Apostle Peter reminds us, “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,” I Peter 1v23. When He rose, friend, we were risen with and in Him (Romans 6v4, Colossians 2v12). This is terrific news! When we remember the Truth, we can walk in completeness, appropriating what has been given to us. When we see ourselves in this way, we can avoid many of life's pitfalls. It doesn’t mean life is without adversity; however, we rejoice for Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”John 16v33. Jesus has the victory! Therefore, we are not fighting for victory but from victory. How does this look? Rest, friends. He has prepared a table for us (Psalms 23v5). We rest as we feed on Him. We use our mustard seed of faith, placing on the Person of Jesus for everything. It may be contrary to everything see but consider the invitation of our Savior:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11v28-30.

Meditate on this truth. Jesus is our Promise Land, and He gives us rest. We learn from Him, are guided by Him, and rest in Him. The enemy will say, “what are you going to do about this or that?” We need not respond. Before we entered the situation, Jesus already knew it would happen; therefore, if we are walking through it, we can believe He is leading the way, and there is something significant He wants us to know about Him in the midst of it. Just as Peter was able to walk on water when He fixed his eyes on Jesus, we too will experience the miraculous amid our circumstances when we rest and rely on Him. Let’s enter this season with intention, spending time in His Word, and trusting what He says because we know faith is a gift from God (Romans 12v3), how we steward it ~ is up to us. Our habitat is one of rest; let us, therefore, be diligent by remaining in His rest with our sole dependence on Jesus Christ.

Until next time, continue to do the one thing needful (Luke 10v38-42).

Andrea