We are in a race (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Isaiah 40:31), but God does not expect us to take first place, unless He needs our gifts and talents to minister to someone near that position in the race on one day or another. He may want to use us to touch a life at the end of the race instead, or in the middle of the race. We realize this once we stop our striving and let God be God in our life (Psalm 46:10).
We cease from our labors (Proverbs 23:4), and we embrace His will for each moment of our day. We come to Him for salvation, and we rest from our hectic schedule and religious activity, so that we can live each day in the center of His will for our life (Hebrews 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:10-11; 2 Corinthians 6:2).
Resting in the Lord has nothing to do with having enough faith to trust the Lord, and everything to do with total surrender and submission to God’s Spirit’s direction, and His perfecting spiritual work in our life through sanctification (Matthew 11:28-29). Our spirit and soul rest in our union with the Trinity of God within us.
God’s peace and quiet in our soul is where we gain our confidence (1 Peter 3:3-4). We are not stuck on a daily routine that keeps us spinning our wheels, but on a straight and narrow path that protects us from a life of stress, worry, and fear, as it heals us from our self-doubt or self-sufficiency.
God’s promises to us are fulfilled when Jesus abides within us (2 Corinthians 1:20). This occurs at the moment of our salvation. We repent of our sins, ask Jesus to serve as our Savior, and we walk in His will for our life (Romans 3:23, 6:23, John 3:16-18).
When He gives us the examples of the birds of the air, and the lilies of the field, Jesus paints us the perfect picture of rest (Matthew 6:28-33). We bask in the knowledge that our great “I AM” will lead us, feed us, and protect us as we consult Him for His plans for our day (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Prayer:
Father God, thank You that we are complete in Jesus, lacking nothing and having the qualities and quantities of everything that we need to accomplish Your goals for our life (Colossians 2:10). We decrease, so that You may increase in us (John 3:30). You are our God of peace, and You are just and true (Romans 15:33, 16:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:15-23; Philippians 4:9; 2 Corinthians 13:11).
Entering Your rest allows us to lay aside every nagging doubt and anxiety as we embrace Your peace, which surpasses human understanding. Your peace guards our heart and mind through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:14; Philippians 4:6-7). Thank You for giving us Your peace to rule in our heart as we rest in You through every issue that we face on this earth (Colossians 3:15; John 14:27; 2 Thessalonians 3:16;).
Thought for the Day:
Salvation frees us from the unrest of life on this earth, as well as the negative thoughts and emotions that cripple our ability to experience fulfillment, and it places us squarely in Christ’s loving arms; He sets us apart as a holy people for Himself, and He gives us rest in our spirit, soul and body.
- Romans 5:10; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:23
