Rest in God

Only a few people have really experienced that there is a rest which we can enter now in this life—a rest which, by its very nature, is like God’s rest. 2 Peter 1:4. However, this does not mean that it is not possible to enter this rest, because the promise of entering into His rest still remains. Hebrews 4:1. We enter into rest by faith; therefore all our self has to be crucified so that faith can work unhindered. The least amount of consultation with our human reasoning has the im­mediate effect of leading us out into unrest and darkness. The spiri­tual laws need to be obeyed carefully. Jesus wants to teach us to walk even as He walked. “Learn from Me . . . and you will find rest for your souls.” He did nothing of Himself (John 5:30), because He al­ways set the Father before Him. Psalm 16:8. The greater our childlike faith, the more perfect our rest will be.

The greatest good we can obtain is to live in such rest. Then we are not anxious for anything and possess a peace in our hearts that surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4:6-7. Then we are recon­ciled to everyone and everything, from our side. Galatians 6:17. Nei­ther sorrow nor loss, sin nor death, is able to move the one who rests in God. Job 1:20-22. Then none of our enemies can overcome us (Deuteronomy 28:7 and 13), and we can say in spirit and in truth, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want!” We rejoice in times to come (Proverbs 31:25), and we believe with all our heart that only goodness, and nothing but mercy shall follow us all the days of our life.

This is the good news, and God invites us to such a blessed rest. We cannot obtain it in one day (Deuteronomy 7:22); it is a long, drawn-out process with God’s word working with us, if we are pa­tient. We will eat the good of the land if we are diligent and willing to forsake all our own possessions. Isaiah 1:19.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It points out and makes us aware of all our enemies—which are our bread.