Fresh Bread July 30: Rest!

There remaineth therefore a REST to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest… (Hebrews 4:9-11, King James Version)

This is a strange Scripture. The writer of Hebrews tells us to labor (The Amplified Bible says, “exert ourselves and strive diligently”) to enter God’s REST. Labor, exert, strive to rest? This doesn’t make any sense unless we look a little deeper into what God knows about us. The word “rest” is derived from two Latin words: re meaning “back” and sto meaning “stand”. Rest simply means to “stand back”.

In both Exodus 14:13–14 and 2 Chronicles 20:14-17, God’s people find themselves in dire circumstances. And yet, each time the Lord tells them to “stand still” (stand back) and experience His ability to rescue them. Like a mechanic fixing a broken car or a healthcare professional working on an emergency case, God needs us to get out of His way, give Him room, stop looking over His shoulder, and “stand back” so He can work His wonders.

So why is it such an effort and labor for us to enter that place of rest where we stand back and let God work? It’s because most of us are “control freaks”! We find it difficult to get out of God’s way and let Him work out His plan His Way.

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I have to control everything! And yet I am stressed out because I realize that I control nothing. Help me! Give me Your strength to stand back, get out of Your way, and let You work out Your plan. Teach me and help me to enter into God’s place of REST. Amen.