By Mark Maher
Being in “God’s REST” is the transition stage. Faith will always move forward, but it’s in His rest, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
The vision is given long-term, but primarily found in the short term, His presence will tell me what today’s assignment will be, as we daily “walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand, that we should WALK IN THEM.” (Ephesians 2:10)
I think this “rest is in Christ,” a place where you pre-decide, God’s plan, not my plan, God’s plan. Jesus went off into the desert for 40 days, while there the devil tried to do everything in his power to get Jesus to become OFF MISSION. It’s in this place where Jesus counters every lie Satan tells him with scripture and the promises of God. This is the pre-decision place where God tells us every strategy in preparation for the next battle. “But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.” (Galatians 1:15-16)
God’s rest, His presence, will provide wise counsel on how to handle bitterness, loneliness, anger, grief, pride, money, all the potential roadblocks, setbacks, strongholds, and footholds. The answers to all these questions are found in the Word, the answers are found in His presence.
Most of the answers are found in the Fruits of the Spirit. God’s going to whisper to stay patience, seek kindness, find goodness, remain faithful, share love, experience joy, live in peace, provide gentleness, and gain self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Your faith will pull you through. It’ll take you out of your place of rest (God’s presence) and send you into your assignment. Rest is connecting to the vine (John 15:2) prior to the daily assignment.
His Wise Counsel Found In REST
1. God says “I got this.” Just trust me, keep walking with me. I’ll put the right Spirit in you. Trust me, fear not. “When the Word says He can do exceeding, abundantly, above all you can ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20) He can and He will!
2. Put me FIRST, I’ll take care of everything else. “Seek the Kingdom of God ABOVE ALL ELSE, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33) God has told me many times, you just put me first, I promise I’ll take care of everything else. Now I just have to do it consistently with an all in faith.
3. Your job is to walk by faith, you’re not supposed to know, if you knew, it wouldn’t require any trust. “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17)
4. I’ll put the right spirit in you. You keep thinking you need this, that, or the other. All you need is me. “But my God shall SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
5. But also while resting in His presence, He also tells me He’s going to challenge me. He’s going to allow the devil to sift me, He’s going to refine you. “The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:27-29)
6. God is going to check you to see if you have a firm foundation. Sometimes life is hard, may not seem fair, but you’re not alone. We get tested. You’re going to have to be so strong, you’re going to have to know who you are inside and out.
7. God showed Jeremiah how the clay can be molded and shaped in the Potter’s hand. God was warning Jeremiah that the people of Judah must make God their #1 priority. (Jeremiah 18) Christ is going to give you a firm foundation. He’s going to work on you, embrace that. Life is not going to be easy. He’s going to challenge you every single day.
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it.” (Romans 12:1-2 MSG)
