THE PROMISE OF REST (ii)
(flowing with milk and honey), where are aware of them.
Last month the Lord spoke to us about
resting on Him and not fretting about things or
issues in our lives. This month He wants to
warn us about those things that may inhibit us
from being partakers of His promised rest.
Hebrews 4:1 pointedly warns us; Therefore,
since a promise remain of entering His rest, let
us fear lest any of you seem to have come short
of it
Earlier in Hebrews Chapter 3, verses 7
to 11, we were reminded of the story of the
children of Israel who doubted despite having
witnessed the mighty works of deliverance God
did in their lives whilst in Egypt and also whilst
passing through the wilderness on their way to
the Promised Land.
Verse 12 pointedly warns us: Beware,
brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil
heart of unbelief in departing from the living
God. We are here advised not to succumb to
unbelief so that we do not lose the promise and
opportunity of entering into this rest. We should
not fall into the same error that led to their
deaths in the wilderness, never entering the rest.
What is this promised rest, you may ask?
Gods rest typifies a state of being at peace and
in complete unity with Him. It is not only the
Promised Land of the Israelites, but also your
own promised land, apportioned to you by God
from the foundation of the world.
The following are attributes of Gods
promised rest:
(i) Contentment and peaceful co-existence
with God and man,
Grace, comfort and abundance have been provided for, even before you
your needs are continuously provided
for, both spiritually and physically,
(iii) Fulfillment of Gods promises for
your life,
(iv) Your spirit, soul and body are in total
tranquility and satisfaction,
(v) Joy, in spite of physical
circumstances,
(vi) Rest from your toil, just as God did
from His,
However, as stated earlier, this
promise is only for those who believe.
Hebrews 4:3, says: For we who have
believed do enter that rest as He said
It is also for only those who are
obedient: Since therefore it remains that
some must enter it, (i.e. Gods rest) and those
to whom it was first preached did not enter
because of disobedience Hebrews 4:6. We
should therefore be diligent and steadfast so
that we can enter this promised rest.
Also, if you are yet to receive Jesus
Christ as Lord and Saviour, this is counted as
unbelief and will cost you your place in the
rest promised of God. Therefore to be a
partaker in Gods promised rest, you need to
surrender your life to the rulership and
sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that
He will give you focus and purpose. Then
you will not be afflicted by the rat race of
life, where it is only striving and toiling for
survival. When you are in Gods rest, you
have contentment. Your needs are met, since
Therefore if you have not yet given
your life to Jesus Christ, here is an
opportunity to do so. Simply say the
following prayer sincerely in your heart:
Heavenly Father, I know I am a
sinner and that you sent your Son Jesus
Christ into the world to save sinners like
me. I confess all my sins today, asking that
you forgive me and receive me into the
kingdom of the beloved. Lord Jesus come
into my heart today and change me for
good, in your precious name I pray. Amen.
If you sincerely prayed this prayer,
you are now born again! All you need to
do now is to get the Bible, study it, find
and begin to attend a Bible believing and
teaching church so that you can grow in
your faith, be filled with the Holy Spirit
and begin the experience of Gods
promised rest for you.
May the Lord bless you and keep
you, May He make His face to shine upon
you and be gracious unto you. May the
Lord lift up His countenance upon you and
give you peace, now and forevermore.
Amen. Have a wonderful month.
Yours Truly,
Bola Olowe
Grace Leadership Foundation
August 2010