Enter the Rest

“ Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief" (Hebrews 4:11 KJV).

Strong’s Dictionary defines labor as: to use speed; to make effort, be prompt or earnest diligence, endeavor. As I read this passage of scripture, I thought to myself, “Why is it that we have to labor to enter into the rest of God?” Jesus said, “ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

It is interesting to note that He said, “Let not.” Webster’s dictionary defines “let” as to allow or permit; to allow to pass, go or come, to grant the occupancy or use of space.” In others words, we have to power to decide whether or not we will let trouble occupy our hearts. It is also interesting to note that if we are to not let our hearts be troubled, then there are things that will attempt to trouble us or steal our rest.

Jesus clearly indicated that peace is a gift. He gave it to us. Imagine it is Tuesday and someone rings your doorbell. You answer and the person replies, “I have a gift for you. It is a check for $1million.” Did you do anything to earn the gift? Do you do anything to earn gifts? If your friend buys you a gift, did you earn it? No. It was just given to you because the person wanted you to have it. Jesus gave us the gift of peace because He wants us to have it. He wants us to embrace and accept His peace.

I would venture to say that Jesus honestly does not have any cares. How can I say that? Revelation 1:8 states, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Jesus knows the end from the beginning. He knows that the victory is won. This is why He tells us not to be discouraged or dismayed (Isaiah 46:10). We win because we are in Him.

The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). That is why we have to labor to enter into the rest of God. Yes, the rest is a gift. But the enemy wants to take that gift. We have to fight our flesh: mind, will, and emotions, in order to maintain the peace that Jesus provided for us.

Have you ever noticed that when you hear unpleasant news that your mind go off on a tangent? For example, you hear of a person possibly receiving a diagnosis of cancer. This has nothing to do with you. However, your mind provides pictures of you in the hospital, sick in bed, etc. It is not even about you. If you do not stop those imagines, that will become real to you and your emotions and body will began to act out the images in your mind.

You have to work diligently to make your mind focus on the things of God and His word. You have to fight the urge to have a pity party. You have to fight depression and fear. You have to fight to say, “The Lord God is my provider” when you have a stack of bills and $24 in the bank. You have to labor to enter God’s rest when your body aches from pain. You have to fight the good fight of faith to maintain your peace. The enemy can only steal from you if you let him. You let him by failing to maintain the confession of your faith. “So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word” (Hebrews 10:23 AMP).

If you were walking against the wind wearing a hat, you would hold fast to the hat so that it does not blow off of your head. You have to hold on to your peace in the same manner. Diligently press your way into the rest of God. Once you do, that peace will guard your heart and mind surpassing all understanding (Phil 4:7 NKJV).