RESTING IN THE GRACE OF GOD
Hebrews 4:1-6 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Resting in the Lord does not mean quitting your job. It means to not worry about things of this world. Rest is not in the area of working and laboring. It is a place of confidence and trusting, where you can receive the blessing and the manifestation of what has already been done.
If you just have to labor, then labor in rest. Spiritual warfare is not fighting the devil. Spiritual warfare is maintaining the victory that Jesus made available through the cross. Jesus already defeated the devil at the cross. The good fight of faith maintains our victory. Faith puts a hedge between you and Satan (you do this by claiming the bloodline around you. Therefore, our spiritual warfare is keeping the faith.
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
We already have the victory; God did not make us to operate out of stress and worry. God created us to operate out of rest. When you rest in God’s grace, and the world is falling apart, you will have peace. Knowing that your confidence and trust will sustain you. But how can you rest in God if you don’t know what has already been done?
Romans 15: 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
The knowledge of the scriptures in hope effects our attitude toward the present and the future. How is it possible to maintain a godly life without hope? Scripture was written aforetime for our learning, and also patience and comfort. The more we know about God and what he has done in the past, the greater the confidence we have about what we will do in the days ahead. The old testament knowledge concealed; new testament is knowledge revealed.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is the evidence of things not seen. The substance of things hoped for. Faith is our servant of hope, hope brings trust. God doesn’t need your help; God wants your trust. Your help doesn’t move the hand of God, it is your trust that moves the hand of God.
Psalms 9: 9-10 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed. A refuge in time of trouble. The ones that know His name, or His mercy, will look to Him for help, for He has never yet forsaken those who trust in Him.
In our hurting world, sometimes hope can be hard to hold on to. From the constant negative bad news on our televisions and smart phones, to the difficulties of everyday life in a fallen world, we spend much of our time gathering pieces of sorrows. That can add up to a to incredible weight upon our shoulders.
As believers, we are encouraged to live lives characterized by hope. Biblical hope is not a feeling and it is not wishful thinking.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Biblical hope is the substance, a tool to be used. Not carnal hope or wishful thinking. It is an attitude of holy expectation, based on God’s promises to us found in His word. The saints of the old bible did not live in times that were easier than ours. They encountered the same problems with prodigal children, unjust political systems, failing health, broken relationships and struggling churches. They rested on these same promises.
Hope is the anchor for your life. It will restore your belief that God has a purpose for our trials, and a plan for our future. It is a promise He intends to keep. For anyone who is feeling beaten down by life, Gods word will transform your outlook and refresh your heart.
Deuteronomy 6: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Enter into a life that is fully engaged with God. We are to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We are to love God and think constantly about His word. So, How can a person rest in God without hope?
1 Peter 5: 6-7 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
We often worry about our position and status. Hoping to get proper recognition for what we do. Peter advises us to remember that Gods recognition counts more than human praise.
God is able and willing to bless us according to his timing. Carrying your worries, stress and daily struggles by yourself shows that you have not trusted God fully with your life. Letting God have your anxieties calls for action. Giving Him both large and small struggles; before we can reliably know and understand Gods will, we must know God himself.
If you have not trusted God fully with your life, letting God have your anxieties call for action. Don’t submit to circumstances, but rather submit to the Lord who controls every circumstance.
This year seek out God’s word, and let God demonstrate His power in your circumstances large and small; before we can reliably know and understand Gods will, we must know God himself.
Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light. True faith is forever connected with hope. Your faith and hope in God develop by renewing your mind in His word, learning about His exceedingly great and precious promises.
In the old testament, Israelite men were required to go up to Jerusalem three times each year to worship God at the feast of unleavened bread, the feast of the harvest, and the feast of ingathering. Why? Because it was a way of keeping hope alive, and keeping their relationship with God fresh and current. They would offer sacrifices, worship, and take renewed inspiration back to their families and clans.
Under the new covenant of grace, we offer a different kind of sacrifice, it is the sacrifice of praise to God, and not just three times a year, but many times each day. How does praise and worship keep hope alive for us? By giving thanks to His name; as we thank God for his blessings of provision and protection in our life, we never lose sight of Him as our hope in all things.
Hope is being confident in God’s grace by faith, and trust. With the expectation of the fulfillment of manifestation through resting in the assurance that God will do what His word says He will do.
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Stay in the word,
Pastor Andy
