RENDER UNTO GOD THE THINGS THAT ARE GOD'S
Rest Despite the Stress
“Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.”
-Ecclesiastes 4:6
Part of living in a cursed world marred by sin, filled with sinful people, and oppressed by the prince of the power of the air (Satan) is that we will regularly and frequently encounter stressful situations. In fact, life can be so stressful that it can begin to negatively impact us emotionally and spiritually, sometimes even severely. We can get stressed when we have too much to do and even when we don’t have anything to do. Stress comes we when we most expect it, when we least expect it, and when we don’t even know where it is coming from. Such is the reality of being human. One day all the pain and sorrow and frustration will be gone, but in the meantime, stress will take its toll on us, and there is nothing we can do to avoid it entirely. Surely, we can avoid sinning and doing foolish things which can only increase our stress burden. But there are things outside of our control, things that we just can’t resolve. For example, we can’t force a person to receive Christ. We can’t make God heal a disability. We can’t force our leaders to use wisdom and honor in their decision-making. We can’t force employers to create work out of thin air. We are human, weak, not all-powerful, and not God. Therein we will always have stress to deal with.
However, for those who know Jesus Christ, we will always have a safe haven, a place of perfect rest.
The antithesis of stress is rest. Biblical rest is a deep inner peace, contentment, and joy that transcends circumstances and allows us to be refreshed internally. This rest is not a mystical trance-like state that temporarily lowers our blood pressure and allows us to escape into a dangerous spiritual world. Rather, it is safety in the storm. It is having Jesus on board when the waves crash and the wind howls. Rest is admitting that we are but sheep who need a Shepherd "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1), for only in and through Christ can we have no lack. Admitting our insufficiency and trusting in His sufficiency is central to being at rest.
Rest will elude any person who lives with a double-minded attitude. Rest will evade any who harbor sin and evil intent in their hearts. Rest will never come to those who seek it in some place other than the Rock of Jesus Christ. All other pursuits- money, early retirement, perfect health, a minute of media fame- is sinking sand. Only Jesus can provide what we are looking for, for only He is fully in charge, fully powerful, and perfectly loving. The only true safe haven is found in being in lockstep behind our Savior, following our closest Friend wherever He may lead.
There is no fear in love, for perfect love drives out fear "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18). When we are convinced entirely of Jesus’ love for us, the fear and the stress can be released unto His care as we cast our cares upon Him "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7). We can endure for as long as He calls us to endure because we know that He is with us, even in the dark times, even when we go through the valleys that feel and smell like death "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4). Jesus’ presence alone can drive out fear because He has told us that He is good, right, and holy. He will never leave us, and we can never be separated from Him "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39). Thus, in His presence is fullness of joy because we are at home with Him. In fact, He makes His home in our hearts "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19). This eternal relationship with the Sovereign of the Universe is our only hope for enduring the stress that this life brings. As God said to Moses in Exodus 33:14, “And he said, 'My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." (Psalm 91:1).
Jesus never promised that He would make our lives stress free, for He said we will have trouble in this life "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). However, even as we go through the tribulations of this earthly life, He leads us into green pastures and beside quiet waters "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters." (Psalm 23:2). His pastures are green, lush, life-giving, and life-sustaining because He is our energy, our food, our sustenance, and our life. He leads us to still waters, waters that refresh and replenish, that cool and cleanse. He restores our souls "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23:3). A proper understanding of the restoration of the soul is central to enduring stressful times. The restoration of the soul is not found by becoming better at getting what we want, becoming more proficient in influencing people, or advancing in some selfish cause or agenda. The restoration of the soul is not a mystical encounter experienced on a yoga mat or New Age life class. God restores our souls by sanctifying all of its aspects. He calms our minds by enabling us to take sinful thoughts captive and to think upon what is good, right, and pure according to His Word "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" (2 Corinthians 10:5, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8). He refines the desires of our hearts by reminding us that, unless we seek His kingdom first, we will be all out of balance "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33). He shapes and bends our wills so that we stop fighting and resisting the work of the Spirit in our hearts and finally humbly surrender and obey "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye." (Acts 7:51). So if we want rest, we must think right, desire the proper things, and obey. We must also be taking in the nourishment of the Scriptures. Psalm 19:7 says, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” If we want our souls restored, we must be in the Word and allowing the Spirit to conform us to its truth.
Rest is a Biblical principle "And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them." (Nehemiah 8:9-12, Genesis 2:2) and a privilege "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his." (Hebrews 4:1-10). Rest gives us renewed perspective, fresh direction, and a fired up passion and energy. But a vacation, holiday, or celebration will not restore the soul unless we turn to the presence of God by surrendering to Him in complete obedience and humility. We must feast upon His Word. Let us enter His rest so He can restore our souls and give us strength for the stress tests yet to come.
-Ecclesiastes 4:6
Part of living in a cursed world marred by sin, filled with sinful people, and oppressed by the prince of the power of the air (Satan) is that we will regularly and frequently encounter stressful situations. In fact, life can be so stressful that it can begin to negatively impact us emotionally and spiritually, sometimes even severely. We can get stressed when we have too much to do and even when we don’t have anything to do. Stress comes we when we most expect it, when we least expect it, and when we don’t even know where it is coming from. Such is the reality of being human. One day all the pain and sorrow and frustration will be gone, but in the meantime, stress will take its toll on us, and there is nothing we can do to avoid it entirely. Surely, we can avoid sinning and doing foolish things which can only increase our stress burden. But there are things outside of our control, things that we just can’t resolve. For example, we can’t force a person to receive Christ. We can’t make God heal a disability. We can’t force our leaders to use wisdom and honor in their decision-making. We can’t force employers to create work out of thin air. We are human, weak, not all-powerful, and not God. Therein we will always have stress to deal with.
However, for those who know Jesus Christ, we will always have a safe haven, a place of perfect rest.
The antithesis of stress is rest. Biblical rest is a deep inner peace, contentment, and joy that transcends circumstances and allows us to be refreshed internally. This rest is not a mystical trance-like state that temporarily lowers our blood pressure and allows us to escape into a dangerous spiritual world. Rather, it is safety in the storm. It is having Jesus on board when the waves crash and the wind howls. Rest is admitting that we are but sheep who need a Shepherd "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1), for only in and through Christ can we have no lack. Admitting our insufficiency and trusting in His sufficiency is central to being at rest.
Rest will elude any person who lives with a double-minded attitude. Rest will evade any who harbor sin and evil intent in their hearts. Rest will never come to those who seek it in some place other than the Rock of Jesus Christ. All other pursuits- money, early retirement, perfect health, a minute of media fame- is sinking sand. Only Jesus can provide what we are looking for, for only He is fully in charge, fully powerful, and perfectly loving. The only true safe haven is found in being in lockstep behind our Savior, following our closest Friend wherever He may lead.
There is no fear in love, for perfect love drives out fear "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18). When we are convinced entirely of Jesus’ love for us, the fear and the stress can be released unto His care as we cast our cares upon Him "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7). We can endure for as long as He calls us to endure because we know that He is with us, even in the dark times, even when we go through the valleys that feel and smell like death "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4). Jesus’ presence alone can drive out fear because He has told us that He is good, right, and holy. He will never leave us, and we can never be separated from Him "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39). Thus, in His presence is fullness of joy because we are at home with Him. In fact, He makes His home in our hearts "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19). This eternal relationship with the Sovereign of the Universe is our only hope for enduring the stress that this life brings. As God said to Moses in Exodus 33:14, “And he said, 'My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." (Psalm 91:1).
Jesus never promised that He would make our lives stress free, for He said we will have trouble in this life "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). However, even as we go through the tribulations of this earthly life, He leads us into green pastures and beside quiet waters "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters." (Psalm 23:2). His pastures are green, lush, life-giving, and life-sustaining because He is our energy, our food, our sustenance, and our life. He leads us to still waters, waters that refresh and replenish, that cool and cleanse. He restores our souls "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23:3). A proper understanding of the restoration of the soul is central to enduring stressful times. The restoration of the soul is not found by becoming better at getting what we want, becoming more proficient in influencing people, or advancing in some selfish cause or agenda. The restoration of the soul is not a mystical encounter experienced on a yoga mat or New Age life class. God restores our souls by sanctifying all of its aspects. He calms our minds by enabling us to take sinful thoughts captive and to think upon what is good, right, and pure according to His Word "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" (2 Corinthians 10:5, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8). He refines the desires of our hearts by reminding us that, unless we seek His kingdom first, we will be all out of balance "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33). He shapes and bends our wills so that we stop fighting and resisting the work of the Spirit in our hearts and finally humbly surrender and obey "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye." (Acts 7:51). So if we want rest, we must think right, desire the proper things, and obey. We must also be taking in the nourishment of the Scriptures. Psalm 19:7 says, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” If we want our souls restored, we must be in the Word and allowing the Spirit to conform us to its truth.
Rest is a Biblical principle "And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them." (Nehemiah 8:9-12, Genesis 2:2) and a privilege "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his." (Hebrews 4:1-10). Rest gives us renewed perspective, fresh direction, and a fired up passion and energy. But a vacation, holiday, or celebration will not restore the soul unless we turn to the presence of God by surrendering to Him in complete obedience and humility. We must feast upon His Word. Let us enter His rest so He can restore our souls and give us strength for the stress tests yet to come.
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