Christian Writers Circle

Maintain God’s Rest
by Judy Hitson

Hebrews 4:10 NKJV For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

To enter God’s rest is one thing. To maintain God’s rest is another. Both require dependency on the Holy Spirit who gives us life.

Think of it this way. To be in good physical health, we maintain a healthy daily diet, exercise and rest. The same holds true for us to be in good spiritual health. We need to maintain a healthy daily diet of God’s Word, spiritual exercise of Bible reading and prayer, and rest in the Lord our God.

When reading the Bible, do you sense God’s presence and receive revelation and understanding for your life circumstances or relationships?

This is Holy Spirit giving life to live Christ. Consider Philippians 1:19-21.

We need the life of the Spirit to maintain God’s rest. That is to enter His rest and cease from our work.

It is Christ in you, the hope of glory, Colossians 1:27.

It is like Galatians 2:20 NKJV I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Jesus said in John 15:5b without Me you can do nothing.

It comes to mind that to maintain God’s rest, we must maintain clean hands and a pure heart to ascend His hill, Psalm 24:3-4.

God has given us a wonderful promise in 1 John1:9 NKJV If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This is not a long to do list. It is utter dependency on the Lord our God, to maintain His rest by His Spirit in us, that He can work in and through us. It is to walk in the Spirit and to live in the Spirit. Review the contrast lists in Galatians 5:19-25.

Let us live a life of love and obedience, John 14:21.

Prayer: Lord help us not go astray in our hearts but rather know and walk in Your ways. Help us believe You the living God. Help us fear You Lord God, be in awe of You, treat You as holy and not come short of Your rest. Thank You that You understand our weaknesses. Thank You Lord for Your word and Your available grace and mercy in our times of need. Amen.
(Hebrews 3:10-19; Hebrews 4:1, 12-16)