Resting In Your Faith

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus..” —Philippians 4:6-7

I recently heard rest described as “What God wants to do in you.” I was thinking about floating on my back. Have you ever done that? In a swimming pool or lake? It takes some practice.  If you don’t relax – you won’t float. Floating in the water is like laying on your bed. Your body is surrendered. You are still – not thrashing around – not tensed up for fear of going under.  There is a calm and a peace that comes over you.  In life, that calm and peace can be ours but it is only by faith and surrendering to God.

“the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:26-27

Jesus said that the peace or rest, that is ours by faith, is spiritual and not dependent upon life’s events.  All of us face troubles – disappointments – but if we are born again and therefore have the Spirit of God in us, and we do, then we can relax – rest in God’s sovereignty by faith. When you are learning to float, it takes practice. In the meantime – you will sink. It is difficult to relax – to trust that you will float – that you can float when the water closes over your face. It’s frightening actually.  The same goes for resting in God – trusting that you will be able to endure whatever trouble has come upon you. It takes practice – you won’t always be successful – you might even sink from time to time. But by exercising your faith, your faith gets stronger. In John 14, Jesus is suggesting that we have an option to being troubled and afraid – that option is to trust God by faith – to rest in our relationship with the Creator God. But that relationship must be a priority in our lives and not just a fact. What I mean is that the fact is that if you are born again – you have the spirit in you – you are a child of God. The reality may be that being a Christian is not any more than a label and there is little evidence that you are living a life of faith. I realize that if you are reading this, you are probably not just wearing the label, but you are pursuing God by faith. But perhaps you can encourage those who are not – who are saved but are still trying to not sink below – become engulfed by – their troubles.

One thing that makes my heart sink is when I am talking to someone who is not born again. Encouraging them to do what I have just described is like trying to tell a man with no legs to run or a blind man to look at an amazing sunset. Impossible. That is through their own effort – try as they might.  You can’t buy peace – perhaps temporary substitutes – did you hear that Bill Gates is getting a divorce? The only answer is Jesus. And the truth is that they might not want to hear that – what they want is relief and only the Spirit of God by faith in Jesus can bring it.  Just as Jesus wept over Jerusalem – we should weep over those who reject the Way and Truth and Life. Do you know people like that? The best thing you can do is show them what resting looks like – be a witness by who you live and not just by what you say – but when the Spirit prompts – speak. In the mean time …

“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” – Proverbs 3:3-8

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone