“rest in the Lord”

Q:

I hear the phrase often to “rest in the Lord,” yet the Bible says that we should work. Resting in the Lord must mean something very different from doing nothing, and I’d like to know what this means because I find that I am restless and unfocused when I rest.

A:

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

God is near to those who belong to Christ and have Him at the center of life. When we struggle, fight, and strive for our way, we are not resting in the Lord. The psalmist wrote, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7).

True Christians are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that God the Father would send His Spirit to help us in all things. We must admit our weakness so that we can ask Him to take over. Standing with Christ means that we stand aside and let Him have His way in our hearts and minds. The human heart is resistant.

What a comfort to know that our Savior is constantly praying for those who belong to Him. Paul wrote, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

A true victorious Christian is one who, in spite of worries, inner conflicts, and tensions, is confident that God is in control and will be victorious in the end. In reliance on Him, we will find that many ailments will disappear along with many worries. Faith implies four things: self-renunciation, reliance with utter confidence in Christ, obedience, and a changed life.

Our hope does not rest in the affairs of this world. It rests in Christ, who lives within us and is coming again.