Every Friday, as I scroll through my status updates, I often wonder why so many people post "Thank God It's Friday" (TGIF). It makes me think about the underlying reason behind their excitement. What comes to mind is that many are simply relieved that the weekend is here, meaning they won't be going to work on Saturday and Sunday. For them, it's not just about the end of the workweek; it's the opportunity to finally have time to REST—a break from the daily grind to recharge and refresh. Spiritually, rest means finding peace and renewal in God, trusting His provision, and releasing burdens through faith in His promises. In Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV), we read about God’s rest after the work of creation: "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” One key lesson I’ve drawn from God's creation of the world is that He worked before He rested. This suggests that even as Christians, while we have faith and trust God for rest, we must also put in effort. Our faith needs to be accompanied by action. Unfortunately, many Christians today focus solely on faith, neglecting the importance of taking action. They want SOMETHING from NOTHING. Your rest can be academic success, spiritual growth, power, financial freedom, etc. There is only one solution, have FAITH and WORK. No wonder the scripture in James 2:26 says "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." This verse underscores that faith, without accompanying actions, is lifeless, much like a body without a spirit. True faith is demonstrated through works. When things look so difficult, don’t just have faith, also work.
To experience this divine rest, we must trust in God's providence and surrender our anxieties to Him. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) encourages us: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Here, Paul emphasizes that by bringing our worries before God with a heart of thanksgiving, we open ourselves to His peace—a peace that surpasses human understanding and guards our hearts and minds.
Jesus’ reaction to the storm is striking. While the storm rages and the disciples are terrified, Jesus is peacefully asleep in the stern. His calmness is not due to ignorance of the danger but a deep assurance in His divine authority and purpose. When He wakes, He speaks with authority, commanding the storm to cease. His words, “Quiet! Be still!” (Mark 4:39), immediately calm the chaos. Jesus’ peace amidst the storm demonstrates a profound trust in God’s sovereignty and control. His rest is not contingent on the absence of external disturbances but on His confidence in God’s plan. By calming the storm, Jesus shows that true rest comes from recognizing that He is in control of every situation, no matter how overwhelming it seems. The disciples’ experience in the storm provides a valuable lesson for us. Often, we find ourselves in situations that feel as though we are being overwhelmed by the waves of life—be it through personal struggles, health issues, or emotional turmoil. Just as the disciples experienced, these challenges can induce fear and stress, making it difficult to find rest.
The trials we face may shake us, but they cannot break us if we truly trust in God, who grants us peace and rest. Jesus’ calming of the storm (Mark 4:35-39) illustrates that even amidst overwhelming circumstances, His peace prevails. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) assures us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Trusting God ensures that our faith remains unshaken.
In conclusion, while faith is essential, it must be accompanied by works to bring about true rest and fulfilment. James 2:17 reminds us, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" (KJV). True peace comes when faith and action work together in harmony.
PRAYER POINT
Oh Lord, lead me to rest
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