For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his – Hebrews 4 v 10 KJV In any profession, rest is important. In these trying times, chances of rest are minimal owing to the turn of events and shock brought by Covid-19, the pandemic that has the world on its knees. The concept of rest thus, for many, appear unfathomable. Anxiety, depression, distress and a number of psychological challenges are depriving many of a chance to rest. From the story of creation we see God resting after completing His work. To signify the importance of rest, God introduced it in the law. During the dispensation of the law, God commanded observation of the day of Sabbath. The purpose of Sabbath was for the children of Israel to rest. It’s God’s desire to have us rest. God doesn’t want us to sweat and toil unnecessarily for things that He has freely given to us. First Corinthians 2 v 12 says ‘now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God’. There are things that God has prepared specially for us. Ours is to know so that we don’t fight for things that are meant freely for us. We ought to find our identity in Christ so that we avoid toiling for things that have been freely given to us. The knowledge of Christ brings rest. There’s rest that God gives to you and there’s rest that you seek or search for. In Matthew 11 v 28, Jesus says “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” This is the rest that you don’t work for. It’s the peace of God that surpasses human understanding. It’s rest from attempting to make yourself right with God. Jesus, the righteousness of God, does, in fact did, the work for you. In connecting with Jesus we find rest for our souls. He says in Matthew 11 v 28 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” There’s yet another rest that we have to work for. Hebrews 4 v 11 states “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” We have to labour, work and toil for rest. To rest is to fully depend of God for everything. We rely on God for provision in our finances, relationships, studies, work, ministry, marriage and all aspects of our lives. God wants us to rest on Him. To rest on Him is to lean on Him. It delights God to be your help and your reward. God wants you to rest in Him. It’s commonly said “Do your best and God will do the rest.” How about “do the rest and God will do the best.” The rest, in our context is to fully surrender unto God and depend on his wisdom, guidance, protection, healing, peace, joy in whatever circumstances. It’s work. It’s not laziness. When confronted with the challenges of life, we shouldn’t press panic buttons by seeking help in all the wrong places. We have to look up to the author and finisher of our faith. Once we focus our sights on what Christ did and who He is in our lives, our fears, flaws and frailties will lose their grip on us. The word says “He gives him peace whose mind has stayed on Him.” When our thoughts are on Christ, peace is our portion. Daily we are presented with horror stories from all over the world, with Covid-19 infections and casualties increasing, but our focus should be on things that are of good report, praiseworthy and noble. Our daily work should be to come to a place of trusting God more even for little things. Jesus Christ is our ultimate rest. Rest is faith in God. Let’s desire and pursue rest.
