In our fast-paced culture, we are accustomed to striving. To be the best in whatever it is. To be a better parent, employee, athlete, or even a better Christian. To go for the gold. We strive to be perfect, to improve ourselves. We burn the candle at both ends. At times, we’re so busy striving that we end up hurting ourselves relationally, emotionally, and even physically. We become overwhelmed. They say “B.U.S.Y.” stands for being under Satan’s yoke. Dictionary.com definition of striving: to exert oneself vigorously; try hard; to make strenuous efforts toward any goal, to strive for success. There is nothing wrong with setting goals and trying to better ourselves, to achieve something greater, but at what cost? I believe God wants us to have a balance. This includes both physical and mental rest. Even Jesus, as busy as he was, took time to rest (Mark 6:30-32). What about striving and rest when it comes to spiritual things? Is there a rest of faith, a rest in believing?
In the gospels, the people in Jesus ‘ day were still operating under the Old Covenant. Not only were they under Roman rule or authority, but they also had a religious burden in trying to keep the Old Testament law. We read in Matthew where Jesus said this: Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)-28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 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. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” They could never reach perfection or obtain righteousness through the Law. The Law showed them how much they needed a savior. Jesus is the end of the Law (Rom. 10:4). Understanding grace is a place of rest. Jesus is our rest! We are no longer striving to obtain acceptance and right standing with God through our own effort( Ephesians 2:8). We receive it now by faith, trusting in what Jesus did in redemption rather than in our own efforts. God gives us the faith (Rom. 12:3, Gal. 5:22, Gal.2:20)! Our part is to believe. To exercise our trust in the nature and character of God and His spoken Word (Psalm 119:89, Titus 1:2, Num. 23:19).
Many times we get very frustrated, discouraged when we are believing for something, and it hasn’t happened yet. You’re doing all you know how to do. You’re believing, confessing God’s Word, rebuking the Devil, using your authority, praising and thanking God in advance for the answer. Yet you don’t see a change. At least it seems that way in the natural. All those things are good, and we need to do them. Do we make it about all we are doing or what Jesus has done for us? What do you do in those situations? Are you striving or resting? What do we mean by resting? Does it mean doing nothing? Having the attitude of whatever happens, happens. If God wants me to get well, I’ll get well. If he wants me saved, I’ll get saved. Of course, He wants you well, saved, and blessed! This is the will of God for us! We have a part to play. Let’s look at Hebrews 4:1-2 (NKJV)-1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. God’s promise will never come to pass if we mix it with the Law. It must be mixed with faith that He gives us! Our part is to believe. Our belief is expressed in words and faith-filled actions. This rest is a rest of faith! It is rest that receives what grace has provided, versus striving to get or obtain something by our own self-effort. Faith sees it as already ours and thanks God for it.
When we think of rest in spiritual terms, it is not inaction or being lazy or indifferent. It is resting knowing God has heard us, that God has already provided the answer, and we continue to walk knowing that it is done. Hebrews 6:12 (NKJV)-12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. This patience is endurance. Staying in the place of faith’s rest. Our disposition in striving becomes I have to do all this, or it will not happen. I have to do all these steps. It becomes a performance mentality. Faith rests in what Jesus has done for us rather than in what we do. We look at all the things we must do rather than looking at what Jesus did. Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)-2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. We are not the authors of our faith. It is having faith in God and not in ourselves regarding spiritual realities. Faith gives substance to what we hope for, even when we don’t see it. Instead of focusing on “I don’t see it yet”, let us focus on Jesus, the author of our faith. Let us focus on the Word of God!
I never heard an apple tree sigh, complain, or groan to produce apples. It just happens naturally. It is the way God made the tree to produce. To be fruitful. It seems effortless. Jesus said this in John 15. John 15:4-5 (NKJV)-4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. I believe this abiding is what Jesus calls rest. Jesus goes on to say: John 15:7 (NKJV)-7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. It is not striving to produce results but resting and abiding. Faith doesnt move God. Faith pleases God. God has already moved through Jesus. The tree never says, I wonder if I will produce apples this year?” Given the right conditions, it will always be fruitful. What is our condition? It is the place of faith’s rest, believing. Hebrews 4:3a (NKJV)-3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, …Hebrews 4:10 (NKJV)-10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
We can enter rest because Jesus did the work on the cross! He already provided everything that we need, such as salvation, healing, deliverance, and provision, etc. 2 Peter 1:2-3 (NKJV)-2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. Our work is to believe. How is belief expressed? In words and deeds. Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)-17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. We see this in Acts chapter 14. Apostle Paul spoke commanding words to a lame man whom he discerned had faith to be healed. The lame man expressed his faith by doing something, and the healing manifested in his body. Acts 14:8-10 (NKJV)-8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. Both of their faith had a corresponding action! It is in either words or actions.
The faith realm doesn’t focus on what is seen in the natural, but what is seen in the spiritual, the unseen. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NKJV)-18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. What the promises of God declare to be true, regardless of the facts. That is why it’s important to see it in your heart first. Faith is of the heart, your spirit, and not your head. We are not striving to believe but resting. What about James 2:26? NKJV)-26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Our work is our words that we speak in faith and Holy Spirit-led actions. We see this with the woman who suffered for twelve years, hemorrhaging blood. She heard of the miracles of Jesus. She said to herself what she believed, and she acted on what she believed, touching the hem of Jesus’ garment. Jesus’ response: Mark 5:34 (NKJV)-34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” What we say is just as important as what we believe. We see this is what Jesus said in Mark 11:23 (NKJV)-23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Three times he mentioned the word “say”! Many times it’s not the problem of believing but not saying or saying the wrong thing. Do our words line up with what we are believing for? 2 Corinthians 4:13 (NKJV)-13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak. What are we speaking about daily? Doubt, fear, worry, or what God’s Word says about our situation. Keep saying, keep standing, and keep believing and praising God!
In closing, we must realize God doesnt want us to strive but rest in Him. Rest in the finished work of the cross. Rest in His promises with thanksgiving. Have the God-kind of faith that speaks and has corresponding action. Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)-11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Also in Numbers 23:19 (NKJV)-19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Rom. 8:32). We cant focus on the manifestation but on the one who manifested the answer. We cant focus on how long we are waiting to see an answer. We cant focus on why it isn’t working or what we are doing or not doing, but resting in faith, believing. Are we really believing or mentally agreeing? There is a difference. I like Mary’s attitude, the mother of Jesus. Luke 1:37-38 (AMP)-37 For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.8 Then Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said. And the angel left her. She really believed! We know the end of the story. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us- John 1:14. Let us enter the rest of faith and believing!
In Christ’s Love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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