The REST of God's Rule


Psalm 132:8 (ESV)Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.

 This Psalm is the climax of the ascent Psalms. The pilgrim has made it to the holy city and is nearing the temple meditating on the Temple, the Ark of God, His presence and the promises made to David who established this city as Mount Zion.

Whenever we hear of God's rule, we hear of His rest. His rest is the first thing He does after Creation. We had rest in the Garden but we sought to rule ourselves and the world has been at unrest ever since.

So God has been bringing a people back to His rest. He brings the people into the wilderness to find rest from their slavery. He brings them to the land for rest from their wanderings. He gives them rest from their enemies. His people are made to live under His rule of REST.

We live in unrest. We keep thinking someone or something other than God will give us the quiet rest that only He provides. We are performing a fool's errand leading to more unrest. Even during this time of year, Christmas - there is very little rest for a season founded on the premise, "Peace on Earth."

The rest God wants for us only comes under His rule. We are made to rest in Him. The Bible is a record of God bringing His people to final rest, to live in harmony with Him. To walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Why? So that nothing will upset us. So that when the inevitable unrest is a reality around us, we are rested inwardly because of Jesus.

Augustine said, "Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee."

How do we find rest? We find rest in Jesus.
Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV) Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The place where you and God dwell togehter is made possible by our High Priest, Jesus Christ who has entered into the heavens, presented a perfect sacrifice for sin and forever lives to intercede for His people. This is our promise. This is our faith.

Be at rest.

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