God Wants You to RestSample

True Rest

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. -Hebrews 4:11

Several years ago, I was bragging to a fellow pastor that for the first twelve years of ministry, I took only two vacations. As the words were coming out of my mouth, I sensed the Holy Spirit whisper to me, “Don’t brag. You sinned against your family.”

How can that be? I gave all I had to the church. I worked constantly. I deprived my family for the purpose of expanding the ministry. I was totally dedicated to doing the work of the ministry. But I was missing one thing: I had confused activity with fruitfulness. I thought God would be impressed with how much I was doing. However, I had not put God first nor my family and others as a priority.

In reading Hebrews 4:11, I was confronted with a statement that appeared to be a contradiction: “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest” (ESV). How can I strive to rest? How can I rush to be seated? Then it occurred to me that God was seated, Christ was seated, and I was the only one running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Yet this Scripture bids me to come to Jesus and rest in the salvation He has already provided for me. That same thought is echoed in Ephesians 2:6 where the believer saved by grace through faith is invited to be seated with Christ in heavenly places.

I invite you, friend, to seek a place of rest, at the Father’s feet. The work for our salvation has already been accomplished; no amount of striving can do this because it is already done. Have a seat and enjoy the victory. Relax, find peace in Christ’s finished work of the cross.

Larry Titus

What do you need to do to stop striving toward as you accept the rest available through salvation? How can you thank God for the gift of rest?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that You’ve provided all I need through Christ. Please help me to rest in You and trust You for everything.

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