Resting in Him
According to Philippians, we’re in control of our own attitudes. Philippians 4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.” This is a command. Our joy and rejoicing is in the object of our joy. Despite the trials of this world, Our rejoicing is in the Lord.
In times of trial and tribulation, when all seems bleak and hopeless, God will say: Rest in my peace: I have you in the hollow of my holy hand. What men meant for evil God meant for good. Without a spiritual battle, there can be no victory. When the Chinese Communists outlawed Christianity, churches moved underground. Today, Christianity is exploding in China. God deepens us in the furnace of affliction and refines us in the fire of tribulation. He purifies our soul in the fires of pain. God will bring us through what seems to be a wind of destruction. As Paul came to understand after he had prayed for God to remove his thorn in the flesh: Thy strength is made perfect in my weakness, thy grace is sufficient for me. Therefore God says: Draw upon the resources of my grace. So shall you be equipped through the testing to testify for me. I have you in my own intensive care. 1 Peter says, “Casting all your cares upon the Him for He cares for you.” He is our very present help in time of trouble. Heaven rejoices when we go through trials with a singing spirit, enduring the test without questioning his mercy. Christ will be revealed when he brings us through the refining fire.
Grace is all of Thee and none of me. For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship (His poem, His poetry in motion, His word of art) created in Christ Jesus unto good works which he has prepared beforehand for us to walk.
The book of Hebrews was written to Israel, the twelve tribes descended from Abraham and Jacob to remind them of the purpose for which God sent the Messiah, Jesus the Christ the son of the living God.
Hebrews 3:12-13 says, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
Sin is so deceitful that it makes you think that sin is acceptable. When we’re indoctrinated by the world’s doctrine we will succumb to the world’s definitions that call good evil and evil good. However, the encouragement of believing believers day by day is the antidote to the deceitfulness of Sin.
It’s good to remember those who taught us the Word of God. Whom the Lord loves, he corrects. The Word of God is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, and correction, for instruction in righteousness. To correct means to restore to an upright position. In the journey, the daily walk, thank God for brothers in Christ who encourage us in the Lord…. those who restore us to an upright position.
According to Hebrews 1:18-19. “And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not. So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”
The “sabbath rest” is one of the central themes of the book of Hebrews. The “rest” signifies the completed work of Jesus Christ through his crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus said, “I did not come to destroy the Old Testament law, and the Prophets, but to fulfill.”
When we rest in the completed work that Jesus Christ accomplished on our behalf, we can empty our resentment bank. To forgive others, we can rest in the assurance of that for which God has forgiven us. God doesn’t angrily wait for us to return our hearts back to Him. Like the forgiving Father who awaited the prodigal son’s return, when we return to our father, he will run to meet us and restore us back into his fellowship.
We encourage one another in the faith when we walk together day by day. Therefore enter into his rest, for Jesus said, “come unto me all ye who are weak and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
When we rest in the hollow of God’s holy hand, we will not worry about the affairs of this world. In resting in him, we are in the calm eye of the spiritual hurricane. Our responsibility is to obey Jesus’ command to get in his boat to go to the other side. Then when the winds rage and the storm tossed waves crash around us he will say, “Peace be still.” Even the winds and waves obey him. God is faithful to His word. He is still Sovreign overall.
Despite the strife, contention, and confusion of this world… regardless of the results of Man’s election, we can rest in the assurance that we are the result of God’s election….
…that we may ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael
