Faith = Rest

Hebrews 4:1-3 (The Message)

For as long, then, as that promise of resting in him pulls us on to God’s goal for us, we need to be careful that we’re not disqualified. We received the same promises as those people in the wilderness, but the promises didn’t do them a bit of good because they didn’t receive the promises with faith. If we believe, though, we’ll experience that state of resting. But not if we don’t have faith.

Amazing that we can believe in God, believe that He exists, that He is got good plans for us, and all, but if we do not have faith… true faith that He is for our good… that he longs to walk minute by minute with us,…that he is our life’s meaning, we will not receive the rest that we are seeking.

How many times I have found myself longing for rest from the craziness of my life. I have questioned God and to be honest at times wondered if he really was faithful. I thought I had all my “duties” as a Christian taken care of, all of my plans “blessed by God.” after all they were good ideas…. But still the restlessness and the failure came.

Could it be that although I had the best intentions, I did not have faith in God. It was my works, my plans, my decisions that I believed and trusted in and asked God to bless?
Boy did I miss the boat!

Hebrews 4 goes on to say that God keeps moving the appointment he has set with us to TODAY. “Today please turn, Today listen to me.” He longs to have relationship with me. He longs to take me to a place of safety, of rest, and of adventure in HIM. It can only happen as I have faith in Him and trust in our relationship together. If I try to do it on my own, even if I ask him to slap a blessing on it, I will not find what I am looking for.

The chapter ends with this: (Hebrews 4: 14-16) “ Now that we know what we have-Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God- let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch wit our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all- all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.