Heb. 3:7-11
Today if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways. So I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My Rest.
The Rest here that is described was a rest God promised to give the children of Israel in the land of Canaan. (Deut. 12:9 – Josh. 21:44 1 kings 8:56) BUT because of their rebellion of heart and the desire to want to be “just Like” the nations around them, (a picture of todays modern Church – seeker friendly movement) they were prohibited from entering that physical and soul rest in the promise land. They wondered in the desert for 40 years! (Deut. 28:65 and Lam. 1:3)
We today as God’s Elect Children have been promised REST as well. This is not a specific land as described for the children of Israel, but the rest that is describe in the Bible is a spiritual – soul rest that penetrates all of our lives. (Ps. 116:7, Is. 28:12) It is truly refreshing to know that we do not have to labor under something to be pleasing to God. Real Salvation in Christ alone, is restful because you did not do anything to get it and you do not do anything to keep it! So enjoy the rest and confidence that God, is bringing you about through trials and circumstances that CAUSE you to trust Him – that CAUSES you to grow in your faith – that CAUSES you to be more Like Christ – IF YOU WILL NOT REBEL!
Yes… We can ruin the peace that God wants to give His children by choosing Sin over obedience. This is your choice – your part. You are free to live as the old man (the old nature you had before Christ) or you – through the power of the Holy Spirit – can obey.
I have often been disobedient in my life. (Rom. 7) I find that when I choose sin, that I by choosing it – loose the peace of my soul – the Comfort and refreshing way that living life right with God brings – and the good sleep. Sleep is sweet for the Christian who has a clean spirit within – not weighed down by sin. SO… I need to choose to walk in obedience and FLEE
F – Flee – act quickly and run from sin. Don’t be curious about anything you know displeases God. RUN FROM IT BROTHER!
L – Lean on God. Call on Him during my time of temptation. He is faithful to come to your aid. I have always known where the door was to exit my temptation – Haven’t you? He is so faithful to make sure we know how to Flee.
Conclusion… Most people are depressed. If you really knew their hearts, you would see it. We struggle with self image – Lack of things like influence in this world. We feel useless and stuck in a job or marriage that is going no where. We feel alone and like we are in a dark tunnel somewhere. Even most Christians struggle with Depression. We struggle with it because we DON’T Believe. Your actions say what you believe. We are not thinking on the things we should be thinking on. (Phil 4:8) So we sin… sinking deeper into depression. The light of Christ becomes darker and darker. We look just like the world that surrounds us. BUT… there is Hope in Christ alone. We have:
1. Citizenship in heaven. Spend some time studying about your real home and what the Bible says it will be like.
2. A great inheritance in Christ waiting for us
3. The word of God that transforms our minds and frees us from depression – as we believe and submit.
4. The hope of the Holy Spirit within the strengthens us so we can turn from sin
5. Our true brothers and sisters who walk with the Lord to lift us up. Are you in a place where you are being encouraged by them? (a good church)
Remember – sin will keep you depressed and OUT OF THE REST that God has provided for you. Believe God and find the REST of an obedient life. God will bless those who walk uprightly. They shall not want for anything.
Tim Gowens
E – Entertain the right thouights. I am to control my Thoughts bringing them captive to obedience to Christ.
E – Eagerly continue to pursue righteousness. (Prov. 21:21)
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