How do you respond to trouble, to difficult circumstances, to disappointments? Many today are experiencing sleepless nights, they are anxious, angry and restless. But God promises in Hebrews 4:9, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus went on in verse 29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Paul said in II Corinthians 7:5, “For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.” No rest in the flesh because of circumstances! Rest unto your souls because of Christ! Listen to David in the Psalms. Psalm 37:7, “Rest in the Lord, wait patienltly for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in the way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” No matter that there is turmoil and trouble in the world, there is peace and rest in the Lord. Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Jean Nicolas Grou wrote back in the 1700’s, “How shall we rest in God? By giving ourselves wholly to him. If you give yourselves by halves, you cannot find full rest; there will ever be a lurking disquiet in that half that is withheld. Martyrs, confessors, and saints have tasted this rest, and “counted themselves happy in that they endured.” A countless host of God’s faithful servants have drunk deeply of it under the daily burden of a weary life- dull, commonplace, painful or desolate. All that God has been to them, he is ready to be to you. The heart once fairly given to God, with a clear conscience, a fitting rule of life, and a steadfast purpose of obedience, you will find a wonderful sense of rest coming over you.”
There is a great inward, spiritual difference between being filled with the Spirit and grieving the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 & 23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:…” Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God…” To grieve means to offend; to displease; to provoke. I wish we could do more for the peace of our country, of our world, our families, our churches, but inward peace is a personal choice. It is a closeness with God. It is a faith in God’s promises that produces a peace in our hearts.
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
I’m so glad I learned to trust Him, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend
And I know that He is with me, Will be with me to the end.