Isaiah 28:12 to whom he said,
“This is the resting place, let the weary rest”;
and, “This is the place of repose” –
but they would not listen.

It is amazing what a capacity we have for not listening to what should be good news! This particular verse reminds me of a little child, stubbornly refusing to take a nap, even though they are very tired and have big events ahead of them. God knows what we need, what is best for us, and He seeks to lead us into it, but we all too often stubbornly refuse. We rebel at anything that hints of control, not realizing, or at least not acknowledging, that we can’t even control ourselves. That acknowledgment is of course the first step in deliverance programs of all sorts. The first step to eternal salvation is to recognize that you need it, and that you can’t provide it for yourself. God is not a legalist; He looks on our hearts, as the Bible says repeatedly. However, in the verse following this one, God says that He turns people over to legalism when they refuse to hear and accept His message of grace. Many people are more comfortable with legalism than with grace, because they want to say, or at least feel, that they have had a part in their own salvation. That is such a foolish conceit! As Jesus so famously declared, His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

I have fought against legalism, but at the same time I have ignored some of the guidelines God has given me to make my way easier. That can seem like a delicate balance, but it isn’t, really. A heart that is committed to obedience, not to earn favor but out of sheer gratitude for overwhelming grace, has no trouble walking in the rest God has provided for us. A couple of years ago now God told me specifically to “Rest, relax, and rejoice.” It is amazing, even to me, the trouble I have doing that sometimes! Hebrews expresses that difficulty as “Strive to enter into that rest.” (Hebrews 4:11) That sounds pretty counter-intuitive! However difficult it might seem, I can have the assurance that I will be able to do it, not because of my own wisdom or other ability, but because of Christ. (Philippians 4:13) This is a message I need to communicate effectively to the people in this church, so that together we may “cease from our own labors and enter into His rest.” (Hebrews 4:10)

Father, thank You for this reminder just as You seem to be opening new doors for ministry for me. Help me flow with Your Spirit at all times, applying myself as You intend but not feeling like “I have to do it” about anything. May my focus be entirely on loving, grateful obedience to You, so that I may rest fully in You even as You do great things through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!