The Lord gave me a vision of the word 'rest' and as I sought the Lord further, this is what He said,
"Take time to 'rest' because the time to act will soon come. There is no benefit in restlessness. 'Rest' in My presence so that you will know exactly and specifically what to do when it is your time to take action!"
What is the definition of 'rest' to you? Let us look into the Bible the 'rest' that God wants you to have.
Hebrews 4:1-3a (GNT): Now, God has offered us the promise that we may receive that rest He spoke about. Let us take care, then, that none of you will be found to have failed to receive that promised rest. For we have heard the Good News, just as they did. They heard the message, but it did them no good, because when they heard it, they did not accept it with faith. We who believe, then, do receive that rest which God promised.
You see, God wants you to receive and enter His rest, just as He had rested on the 7th day after creating the world, and to rest in the finished work of His Son, Jesus on the cross. This is so that you will be able to walk in His calling and His will for you, by His grace. A similar message was told to the Israelites during Moses' time. But they disobeyed because they did not believe that they will receive any good or benefit by entering into the rest of God. Only those who believe that God is real, powerful and that He can respond to them will experience the true rest He wants to give them.
Hebrews 4:6-7 (GNT): Those who first heard the Good News did not receive that rest, because they did not believe. There are, then, others who are allowed to receive it. This is shown by the fact that God sets another day, which is called "Today." Many years later He spoke of it through David in the scripture already quoted: "If you hear God's voice today, do not be stubborn."
Do you know what that means? Hebrews 4:6-7 says that as long as you believe, you can enter His rest today, or any day! God was angry with the Israelites during Moses' time because of their unbelief. So, He spoke through King David later on and changed the 7th day (Sabbath) to enter His rest to 'Today'. You can cross-refer to Psalm 95. Whether you enter God's rest as an individual or assemble together to worship Him as a church (as stated in Hebrews 10:25), no specific day is required of you. Any day is your Sabbath when you receive and enter God's rest!
Hebrews 4:10 (GNT): For those who receive that rest which God promised will rest from their own work, just as God rested from His.
Do you realize the significance of 'God resting from His work' after He had finished creating the world?
God rested when He had completed His work perfectly and satisfied with the outcomes. So, by entering God's rest, you too will have satisfactory outcomes, and you can be at peace and be at rest! It means when you turn away from all the activities or matters that occupy your mind and start spending time with Him, you are entering God's rest! You are receiving the grace of God to get the solutions to solve your problems, and the wisdom of God to get your work done in the best and most innovative way!
The reason the Israelites had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years was because they failed to see the benefit of entering God's rest. They had no faith in God and they only knew how to complain whenever they did not get what they wanted. So, if you have friends who need to stop the vicious cycle of spinning around with their problems, teach them to enter into God's rest today!
Hebrews 4:11-13 (NKJV): Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
When you enter God's rest and spend time with Him, His Spirit will start working inside you, speaking the word of God to you. He will correct you of any wrong mindset or wrong actions. Allow Him! You can't hide your flaws and weaknesses from Him anyway, because everything is transparent before Him. Understand that He will not condemn you, because there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (as stated in Romans 8:1).
But this is also the area many Christians fail. They are reluctant to allow the Spirit of God to work in their lives and change them. Hence, many are still struggling with their sins and weaknesses. It takes humility and a heart of repentance to let Him change you. But know this, those who humble before the Lord will suffer no shame.
So, let the Holy Spirit realign you with God's will and values. When your mind is aligned with His, you will have a clear idea of the next step, or the next action you are supposed to take. Your problem will appear to be so small before you. All my life I have witnessed this: Nothing can stumble those who have rested in the presence of God!
Hebrews 4:14-16 (GNT): Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a great High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God - Jesus, the Son of God. Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.
There is nothing that Jesus cannot understand when it comes to your problems, sufferings, sins, weaknesses, anxieties, etc. He knows you as who you are. So, knowing that He knows you inside-out, come before Him and enter His rest without reservation. Receive His mercy and His grace. Let Him help you. He knows what's best for you. Resting in His presence, no problem can be too big for you. Amen!
But then, you might ask, "How do I enter into God's rest?"
Since Psalm 95 is quoted in Hebrews chapter 4, you can learn from King David how he entered God's rest. King David praised God, he sang to God, he gave thanks to God, and he worshiped God by surrendering his life totally to God. He learnt to trust God for protection and provision since young. He was never bothered about his image as a king (as someone in high position) when he sang and danced before God. He humbled himself and repented when he was rebuked by Prophet Nathan for the sin he committed. He lived a lifestyle of worship and total surrender to God. He didn't fight back even when his own son (Absalom) took over his throne, because he knew his life and his future was in God's hand. And he lived a life of blessing and honor from God. A simple faith and trust in God! That's how King David entered God's rest. And that's what we can learn from him.
You can also learn from Apostle Paul, the way he received and entered God's rest just as he had written in Romans 8:26-27 and in 1 Corinthians 14:15. Apostle Paul encouraged others to pray and sing with their mind (i.e. with the languages they understand) and also to pray and sing with their spirit (i.e. to pray and sing in spiritual tongues given by the Spirit of God). Apostle Paul also said in 1 Corinthians 14:18 that he thanked God that he pray in the spirit more than the others. That's one way how he entered God's rest and received the revelation for many of his written epistles in the New Testament.
Another person you can learn from is Timothy (Apostle Paul's advice to Timothy as stated in 1 Timothy 4:14-15). When you meditate on the words that the Lord has spoken to you specifically, whether it's through prophecy, visions or dreams, He will empower you. When you enter into God's rest by meditating on His specific words for you, you are tapping into His anointing and power in His presence. So, think and talk often about the specific words that God has spoken to you. Practice those gifts and talents that He has imparted to you. And you will see good success. Amen!
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