Resting In The Lord
by Ray Prinzing

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him."                                              (Psalm 37:7)

The particular Hebrew word that is used here for "rest" bring another aspect of resting, beyond that of cessation of labour, for it means: to be still, keep silence.  So one translation gives, "Be silent to the Lord."

"Woe to him that striveth with his Maker! Shall the clay say to Him that fashioneth it, What makest Thou? or Thy work, He hath no hands." (Isaiah 45:9).  How often our supposed resting in Him is made null and void because we are striving with Him.  Lord, why? why? why? And some even come to the point they accuse Him of having no hands, for they strive with Him.  Why isn't God doing something? Why doesn't He change this situation?" as if He had no hands, had no interest in the matter, and they were left alone to solve it themselves.  There is a REST in ceasing to clamor for answers, and we learn to wait for the understanding which He will give in due time.

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his on works, as God did from his."   (Hebrews 4:9-10). Concurrent with our ceasing to strive with the Lord, as if we could persuade Him to do things our way, in our timing, there is also this cessation of our own self-works, to make ourselves appear to be righteous. "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags."  (Isaiah 54:6).  It is not our works, BUT HIS -- HE "is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1:30).  Truly it becomes GOD ALL THE WAY, or as Paul so aptly stated,  "It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."  (Philippians 2:13).

Resting in the Lord is not a passive state!  It is a cessation from all self-oriented works and struggles to attain.  It is also an active yielding to the Spirit of God, to "live out" the life that He imparts and works within.  Energized by His Spirit, the flesh is subdued, and we are under girded by the knowledge that "nothing can happen outside of God's will," thus we rest in Him, wait patiently, and see the ultimate victory which He has wrought for us.