This morning, I got up earlier than I would on a Saturday. My oldest son and I went down to the church to assess the grass (it’s getting to the end of mowing season, so they’re going to have to figure out a new source of income), and we discovered it didn’t need to be mowed. So, heading home, I sent him back to bed (it’s been a busy week with school starting again, the boys needed rest) and I turned around, headed back to the office, parked the truck…and discovered I forgot my keys. I then had the idea that I would do my work from home today. The house is quiet, everyone is still asleep, and I can get just as much done here as at the office in the same conditions: quiet.
There’s few moments of rest, peace and quiet in my home, what with 4 boys. Even when I steal an hour or so for a nap, my siesta competes with the clamoring of 4 rowdy boys who, whether in or out of doors, seek an adventure wherever they are at (or a fight, but that’s typical of boys). This got me thinking, though: why should I have to “steal” a moments rest or peace? Peace beyond understanding should be guarding my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, right? That’s when it hit me: though I pray, read and worship, I’m still very much dependent on me for rest. I focus too much on the externals: a quiet office, a quiet house, a warm bed, the right conditions, etc., instead of fixing my eyes on Jesus.
Loved ones, if we’re to have true rest, no matter what our circumstances, our hope, our rest and our peace need to lie in Christ and in Him alone. We won’t find it in marriage, we won’t find it in circumstances, and we won’t find it in any external thing. Rest, hope and peace are truly found only as we rest in Christ. This is why Jesus taught “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all these things will be added to you.” He understands us, knows our needs, and knows what will quell our wants, wishes and desires. His peace guards our hearts, and He is our rest. Knowing this truth, place your hope accordingly.
Matthew 11:25-30
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Hebrews 4:1-13
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,
“As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest,’”
although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” And again in this passage he said,
“They shall not enter my rest.”
Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
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