Surrender = Rest.
The vast depths of the world’s oceans are largely undiscovered and constantly yield surprising discoveries of strange and beautiful creatures. If you’ve not yet seen the blanket octopus for example, check out it’s amazing design here. Scripture is a lot like the ocean. It’s vast and deep, intimidating but alluring, challenging yet comforting, and it constantly reveals beautiful new discoveries. It is our privilege as children of God to be immersed in Scripture, and to be nurtured by the Holy Spirit as He guides us through it’s boundless depths.
God’s peace, likewise is vast beyond measure. Jesus says that He gives us peace, and that He doesn’t give like the world gives (John 14:27). He also says that we can come to Him for rest and we can take His yolk on us to find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30). The author of Hebrews is asking if we have reached the rest that God has promised to us. Have we?
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. - Hebrews 4:1-2 ESV
The peace or rest of God comes to every believer who is born of the Holy Spirit, how has repented and believed the Gospel. Believers have rest because we know that we no longer labour to be accepted by God. We know that Jesus has made us right with God by the supreme sacrifice of the cross, and that we enter that rest by faith in what He has done. Believers who are born of the Spirit can also look forward to the eternal rest that God promises when we pass from this life to the next. But there’s another rest to be had right now, and it’s a rest that we enter when we stop trying to be in control.
Have you ever been badgered by a backseat driver, someone who you’re transporting who wants to control how you drive? When we submit to Jesus’ yolk (Matthew 11:28-30) we agree to let Him drive, and we have peace when we allow Him to. When we constantly tell Him what to do, and don’t trust His direction, purpose and promises, we become exhausted, we can not find rest. The people of the Exodus didn’t trust God’s plans, purpose and promises and wandered the wilderness restlessly for 40 years. The early Jewish Christians who doubted that Jesus was the Messiah and began to turn back to their old religion suffered the same restlessness. Today we need to decide to take Jesus’ yolk, obey His instructions and plough on ahead, trust His plan for our lives, and rest in the confidence that He is good, and knows what He’s doing.
Prayer.
Dear Father God, our Lord and our Shepherd. Thank You that You are our Shepherd and that You care for us. We confess today Lord that You are God and that You know and understand our every fear and challenge. We ask You to take control Lord, and help us to enter the rest you promise by surrendering our will to Yours. Thy Kingdom come Father, Thy will be done. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Worship.
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.
Listen to what a friend we have in Jesus
Serving.
Today the Scripture calls us to be “united by faith with those who believe” God’s promises. The author is urgently concerned that any of us should seem to have failed to reach it. The ocean doesn’t yield it’s treasure unless we explore it, and Scripture is the same. We must explore it every single day to enjoy the endless source of comfort and direction that it provides. Let us ask the Father to equip us to find His peace, and then to help and encourage others with His precious promises. Each of us is part of the Church that Jesus has established and we all have the responsibility of caring for each other, no matter where we gather or even if we’re unable to gather together. May the Lord bless you with His peace and help us to extend His peace to the restless and the weary. In Jesus Name.