Monday, June 25, 2018

God's Rest

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people
of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests
from his own work, just as God did from his.
Hebrews 4:9-10

It is this resting from their own work which many
Christians cannot understand. They think of it as a 
state of passive and selfish enjoyment, of still con-
templation which leads to the neglect of the duties 
of life, and undermines the watchfulness and war-
fare to which Scripture calls us. 

Yet, this is an entire misunderstanding of God's call
to rest. The Almighty God is the only source of pow-
er. In nature He works all. In grace He waits to work 
all too, if man will but consent and allow. Truly to 
rest in God is to yield oneself up to the highest ac-
tivity. We work, because He works in us to will and 
to do.

Jesus as the High Priest is the One who can bring 
us in living union with Himself into that place of rest
and love, and, by His Spirit within us, making that 
life of heaven a reality and an experience.
Andrew Murray 1828-1917, a South African
clergyman who strongly influenced the missionary
movement to South Africa. He is largely remem-
bered for his many devotional books, still in print
today and still strong sellers.

A great many people have the faith that seeks, but
they have not a faith that rests. The Lord Jesus is
here, rest in Him, let the burden go. 
"Lord, I trust you now. I abide in you now. Lord, as 
I think about my home problems, my business pres-
sures, my personal difficulties in every sphere of 
life, I bring them all, and give them all to You." 
Believe that He keeps you. I am sure this rest of 
faith is the center of all activity.   
Evan Hopkins was a vicar from Richmond in Surrey
England. His ministry changed as he appropriated
the truths of God's grace he'd heard. Later he was
to be widely used in the Keswick movement as a
popular Bible teacher.

Reader, I find Hebrews 4 to be slightly unsettling. I
don't think that this modern age has any idea of the
"rest" that seems to be so important to God.

No comments: