How many times have you heard a preacher expound upon the following text from God’s Word?
Hebrews 4:14-16,
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
1 Peter 5:7 also states,
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Yet, when a trial and/or a crisis befalls us, these verses are often either forsaken or forgotten. Then, instead of seeking the Lord’s guidance and care, we begin to depend upon our own “wisdom”. Thus, we will eventually rationalize that our decisions are correct; although our decisions may clearly be in direct opposition to God’s Word. Throughout our lives, we will be faced with trials and issues – whether as individuals, in our marriages, in our families, or in our churches – for which we must make a decision, “Will we trust in the Lord, or trust in ourselves?” Each one of us should acknowledge that it is very difficult (if not almost impossible) to make a rational objective decision when we are in the midst of a crisis. Subsequently, many of our decisions are made in haste, rather than allowing the Lord to have complete control over the situation such that His Divine purpose will be revealed and accomplished (which is always designed to increase our faith).
Let us now consider the following text from God’s Word.
Psalm 37:3-7,
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”
Notice the four introductory words in this passage: “Trust in the LORD”, “Delight thyself also in the LORD”, “Commit thy way unto the LORD”, and “Rest in the LORD “. If we will seek to envelope these words in our lives on a daily basis, when we are faced with a trial or a crisis (and we will be), we will know WHO to quickly turn to in our greatest hours of need. For, we will trust in the Lord and not in ourselves.
But let it be understood here that if we are to “Rest in the LORD”, we must follow the Lord’s prescribed order. “Trust” – convinced the Lord’s way is the best way. “Delight” – assured the Lord will always direct us in the right path. “Commit” – willing to accept and to submit unto the Lord’s answers and direction. Then, we can “Rest” – knowing that He will prosper our way through His paths of righteousness. Notice David’s rest in the Lord.
Psalms 40:1-5,
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”
May we each seek to commit our lives unto the Lord’s care and provisions.
Proverbs 3:5-6 states,
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Do you have “Rest in the LORD”?
