Enter into REST!

Enter into REST! Throughout the school year, many of us are running this way and that. First its early mornings getting everyone headed out the door in a timely manner, without World War 3. Then, when we get home from work or the kids get home from school, we head to baseball, dance, piano lessons, football, basketball, soccer, underwater basket weaving, and after that homework. Somewhere in that mess, we are supposed to eat as a family followed by getting everyone cleaned-up and off to bed. In my house it is about 10:00 pm when Malia and I finally stop to say, “Hello!” I know by some of the stories I have heard others tell, it is even worse for some families. I look forward to this time of year! The hustle and bustle seems to calm a little and somewhere in that peace we can find rest. We need physical rest along with spiritual rest. The Bible has many references to rest. I believe that if God said he rested on the 7th day of creation, then we should follow His lead and rest from our busy work. In God we find… 1. Rest of salvation. - “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will work for you today…” Exodus 14:13 2. Rest of conscience about our sins. - “ I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 3. Rest from the fear of Judgment. - “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” Romans 8:1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” John 5:24 4. Rest from fear of death. - “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 5. Rest from the power of sin. - “…because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought Him, and He has given us peace on every side…” 2 Chronicles 14:7 6. Rest of heart in fellowship with Christ. - “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 7. Rest in service from doubt and anxiety. - “For we who have believed enter that rest, as He has said, ‘As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’” Hebrews 4:3 8. Rest from the presence of sin in glory. - “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9 These 8 biblical truths concerning rest have been adapted from the commentaries of F.E. Marsh. Finding rest in God, Aaron Hodges