Enter the Rest of God
Scripture Reading: Hebrew 4:9–11
“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 labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”
Enter the Rest of God
I pray that God will give us rest in our souls, peace in our spirit man, and grace to enter into His rest.
Beloved, are you still restless? Is your soul still in discontent? I pray that God will give you the grace to find healing for your soul, through His Word, from pure worship, and by praying the Scriptures. God will give you the grace to enter into his rest.
In the book of Ruth, we see a young woman who was challenged by life. Ruth married into another culture. Unfortunately, much tragedy struck and eventually her mother- in-law offered her the freedom to find rest in the world.
Naomi released her to find her destiny away from God’s people, but Ruth manifested commitment.
I use the example of Ruth because she entered into a rest that gave her eternal relevance. In chapter 1, she gives an eloquent rendition of commitment and covenant: “Intreat me not to leave thee.” In other words, she wanted to stay with Naomi until she died. If you want to enter into the rest of God, you, like Ruth, must show commitment to God. You must totally surrender your life to Jesus, then show Him commitment.
In chapter 2, Ruth had moved from being committed to Naomi to a point of self-motivated extra service. Naomi offered Ruth a chance to go into the unknown to bring back food for them. Ruth could have said, “I’m new in this town. I don’t know where we are going to get food. Naomi, I’ve done enough for you; I’ve committed my life to you.” But she did not; she continued to serve Naomi. Then in Ruth 3, Naomi becomes restless in her own spirit because she wants to find rest for Ruth. “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?” To get into the rest of God, you must show commitment like Ruth. Naomi, observing Ruth’s commitment and extra service, committed herself to getting Ruth settled.
When you give God commitment and extra service, God will commit to giving you rest. Naomi revealed to Ruth how Ruth could marry Boaz. Boaz married Ruth. Later, she gave birth to Obed. Commitment and extra service will cause God to take you into that rest and with that rest bring you into eternal fruitfulness. Ruth gave birth to Obed; Obed was the father of Jesse; Jesse was the father of David. David is in the lineage of our Lord Jesus Christ. So Ruth became eternally fruitful. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest that is available to the people of God. May we cease from our works and commit to place our trust in the Lord God Almighty so He will lead us into the place of our rest and eternal fruitfulness and relevance.
Prayer Points:
Will you commit your life to Jesus today? If you have never given your life to Jesus, pray with me and say, “Dear Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to you. I accept you as my personal Lord and Saviour. Write my name in the book of life.” If you have already given your life to Jesus, but you need rest for your soul or you need a solution to a pending problem, then rededicate yourself to God with a clear commitment. Find extra service to do for Him that will be motivated by you; then God in His faithfulness will bless you. He will bring you into a process that will move you into that rest; your restlessness will cease.
Father God Almighty, we thank you because there is nothing you cannot do. Father, take us into that rest and make us eternally fruitful, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
