Slideshow image

As we travel on our spiritual journey, we need to remember that while we have a part to play, we cannot accomplish everything through our own efforts. God wants us to learn to trust Him and rely on Him rather than trying to do everything in our own strength

Hebrews 4:9-11 - There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 

The Word of God tells us to labor to enter that rest. But what rest is the Bible talking about? Hebrews 3 and 4 compare God's rest to the children of Israel entering the Promised Land, a place where they could live in peace from their enemies and enjoy the abundance God had promised them.

As believers, we have the same opportunity to enter into God's rest and experience His peace, even when things around us are not going the way we hoped. We can reach a place where we trust Him regardless of our circumstances. To do this, we must learn from the example of the children of Israel, who failed to enter because of their unbelief. We must choose to trust the Lord and believe His Word.

We build that trust by getting to know our Heavenly Father, spending time in His Word, fellowshipping with Him in prayer, and worshiping Him. The more we come to know Him, the easier it becomes to trust Him with the things we cannot control.

Sometimes, we get so caught up in trying to get God to do something in our lives or trying to practice every biblical principle perfectly that we lose sight of what really matters. Instead of striving to make things happen, we need to focus on knowing God more deeply. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we learn to let go of our worries and burdens and trust Him to lead us. It's not just about how much we know about God, but how well we truly know Him.

Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

God's Word tells us that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Rather than becoming frustrated trying to make things happen in our spiritual lives, we need to turn our attention back to the Father. Take time to seek Him, get to know Him, and grow in your relationship with Him.

This is the labor the Bible speaks of. We must be intentional about seeking God and spending time in His presence. As we learn to trust Him instead of relying on our own efforts, we begin to experience the rest and peace He has promised us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of Your rest. Forgive me for the times I have relied on my own strength and efforts instead of trusting You. Help me let go of my worries and stop striving to make everything happen my way. Draw me closer to You and help me grow in my relationship with You. Teach me to trust Your Word, seek Your presence, and depend on You each day. Help me to enter into Your rest and experience the peace that comes from knowing You. In Jesus' name, Amen.