Sunday, April 13, 2008

Resting is an Act of Faith

Sleep in Peace when day is done, that’s how I feel. It’s a new dawn, it’s a new world it’s a new life. And I’m feeling good.
-Nina Simone (Feeling Good)


What else must you do? REST, darling! REST!


Resting can be the hardest commandment to follow. Inaction is difficult because it requires FAITH. See Exodus 20:8-11 God commands us to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Basically, we are asked to rest on the 6th day, just as GOD did during the creation of the world.

And so we must rest in Jesus and God’s promises even though we are inundated with WORK, projects, events, obligations. Although we have deadlines, troubles and calamities, we must resist being anxious and worrying about them. We must resist working frantically and furiously to solve our problems. (Staying up all night for a week pacing the floor and calling everyone we know for advice is not faith!) We must remember that God is the only power that can fix our problem. We must remember what Jesus said, If you ask for it in my name and according to my will, it will be done!

Our work, and effort has no effect without GOD. Instead success requires a balance of work and rest (faith).

EXAMPLE: We are like a Christian woman sitting in a row boat in the middle of an ocean. God has commanded her to row against the current. So she is paddling like crazy to make progress. The fact that she is acting in God’s will as commanded, is significant. God rewards her act of obedience and faith by promising to take care of her. God will provide what she needs for her journey. He will send food, and shade. He will send fresh water and even a companion. He will also provide a time for her to rest. If she disobeys GOD and paddles every day all day…she will become too tired and worn out to be effective. GOD says, Rest! We should only paddle when necessary.

When is it necessary to PADDLE like crazy? When God says so. The Bible is clear…Rest on the 6th day. The tired, nervous body should NEVER drive the Spirit. Rather, the Spirit should be the master of the body.

When we rest we evidence our belief that God is control. What does it profit us to run and run and run? Wouldn’t it be better to stop and “Ask for Directions” and “Fill up the Tank” before a long journey? God will always provide a way if we would just listen. He has told us: DON’T SEEK TO WORK FOR ME! In other words, do not make opportunities for GOD. Instead LIVE for GOD and let HIM make the opportunities for us!

We have been commanded to carve out one day of the week to refuel our spirits and steal away with Jesus. Only in restful silence can we receive a spirit understanding. Times of withdrawal for rest always precede fresh miracle working.

Remember:

Jesus rested at the well in Samaria. John 4:4-6
4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

Jesus rested on the boat during the violent storm. Matthew 8:24
24Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.

Isaiah 40:31 They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.