The Place Of Rest

If there is one thing that can be said about the time that we live in, it’s that there is unrest everywhere. Children born in the past few decades have known nothing but death and destruction, and are victims of violence: at home, in the community, the schools, and on the streets of cities throughout the world. Today, uncertainty has become the norm, not the exception.

Although believers are comforted by the words of Jesus, who assures them that he is their peace, Christians still seem to struggle in this area. I have witnessed firsthand the testimonies of many who confess that they have doubt and uncertainty and suffer lack with regard to faith.

According to scripture, doubt, uncertainty, and lack are tools the evil one uses to snare believers. They are not the fruits believers should produce. Hebrews 11:6 warns, "Without faith, it is impossible to please the Father. For the one who comes to God in an effort to receive something of him, must first believe that God is (Almighty), and CAPABLE of doing whatever is needed." (Paraphrased)

Because of the widespread chaos occurring in the world, individuals look to the church for answers. After all, we are that " CITY which is set on a hill." It is the responsibility of believers to allow their light to shine so that those in need of illumination can see it.

A true believer will demonstrate the love of the Father in their behavior, dress, attitude and the manner in which they react to those around them. Their lives and actions are a reflection of the Father’s love and they are eager to share it with others.

Just as Christ was an example of the Father in his daily walk with the disciples and the people, so are we to be in our daily walk. We should be so rooted and grounded in the Word that our speech will betray us.

The Bible instructs us to be equipped to answer anyone who asks us what is the hope of our calling.

God and his Word must reign "king" in the life of the believer. We must be so at ease with our faith that the world has no doubt of the Father’s love. It’s no wonder the psalmist declared, "He leads me besides the still waters." What the prophet is saying is that though trouble exists all around him, God keeps his waters still and provides him a place of rest. This does not mean that trouble won’t occur in our lives, but when it does, God will keep our minds at ease, that is, he will give us rest.

All to often, I hear people, who confess to be believers, talk of their inability to find rest. My reply to them is to seek the Creator. Why? God is true to His Word. In fact, if He says it, that settles it.

On the television, radio, in our homes and everywhere, people are at war with each other. That is all this world has to offer.

In a physical sense, the body cannot continue to function without rest, well guess what, nor can the spirit. Just as we must provide a place of rest for our natural bodies to function properly, our souls must be at rest also.

My appeal to believers is that since the world has nothing to offer but chaos and unrest, it is the job of believers to provide a place of rest for the tired and weary souls who find themselves in need.

By Naomi J. Brown