Ruth 3:18, "Then Naomi said, 'Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.'" (NIV)

We Believe what Jesus said; We Receive what Jesus said; We Rest in what Jesus said. 

For the past few weeks, the Lord has heavily laid on my heart the topic of resting in Him and what that truly means and offers us when we do.

We can try and accomplish all the programs and steps for making life more relaxing and restful, but it doesn't last because that is only a behavioral change.  For lasting rest, we need a heart transformation. Only Jesus can do that. He gives us heart-felt inner peace in the midst of life's storms. His peace is like no other!

I know that the way is very difficult sometimes in life. Everyone who is walking in the light faces trials, temptations, tribulations and persecutions. Jesus even promised us that we would in John 16:33, but when we go through these things, many Christians fall into peril and lose their peace of mind.  It is because they do not trust that God will really take care of them in the storm. Therefore, they look to worldly examples such as the "five steps to peace" or participate in programs that offer inner peace.   Their focus becomes skewed and turns to their own self-efforts.   Some even become angry with God like the disciples did when a storm arose and their boat began to sink.   They awoke Jesus angrily and in fear saying, "Don't You care if we drown?!" (Mark 4:38)  Up until the point where they turned to Jesus, they had tried everything in their own strength to keep that boat afloat.  Jesus was their LAST resort.  At the point they turned to Him, they were in complete chaos and fear with no more reasoning abilities left.

Did you know that you can rest (or sleep) soundly like Jesus did in the midst of any (and every) storm?

Rest is wrapped up in trusting that God really will handle the negative situations and circumstances in our lives.   We may try things that offer an outward rest, but our minds are still very active with trying to come up with solutions or trying to control issues.  All because we don't fully trust that if we release it to God, He will take care of it.   We think He needs our help.

Here is the crux of the matter, when we rest in Him, God works, and when we work God rests.

There is a lovely scripture in the third chapter of the Book of Ruth that confirms to us how much Jesus wants to work on our behalf while we are resting in Him.

The Old Testament consists of typologies, metaphors, analogies, allegories, types and shadows regarding Jesus.  It points to Jesus in a concealed way.   The OT is Jesus concealed, while the NT is Jesus revealed.  

In the Book of Ruth, Ruth represents the Church and Boaz (Naomi's distant rich relative who comes to redeem her) represents Christ.

Well as the story goes in Ruth 3:4, Naomi told Ruth to go and lay at Boaz's feet.   The word "lay" represents rest.   For all you Bible scholars, the actual Hebrew word in that verse is shakab.   It literally means to lie down, rest and relax.

Therefore, the typology in this scripture is that the Church (Ruth) is to rest at Jesus' (Boaz) feet.   In fact, even prior to verse 4, Naomi actually states in Ruth 3:1 that she is specifically seeking rest (or a place to rest as in the original Hebrew context) for Ruth.  So she sends Ruth to lay at Boaz' feet.   The typology in that statement is that we, the Church, find our rest at Jesus' feet.

Mary found that rest too when she sat at Jesus' feet, while her sister Martha worked (Luke 10:38-42). Again, we see how the one (Martha) who did not rest in the Lord became angry with Jesus and at her sister, Mary.   Martha in her anger lashed out with the same words of the disciples in Mark 4:38, "Lord, don't you care...?!" 

Martha's focus was on her efforts and not on Christ.   Jesus did not rally with her argument.   He simply told her that Mary had chosen better and He would not take it from her (Luke 10:42).   What was the "it?"   Mary's position of rest as confirmed by her sitting at Jesus' feet (Luke 10:39).

Now Jesus does not tell us to do something without a cause. Every time Jesus gives us instruction, there is a promise from Him that will be released to us through our obedience. 

Jesus has delivered His promises beforehand to share with us what He has determined in His heart to do for us.

Back to the Book of Ruth.  In Ruth 3:18, Jesus tells us (which is a promise) what He will do when we rest and wait upon Him.

Ruth 3:18, "Then Naomi said, 'Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens.  For the man (Jesus) will not rest until the matter is settled today.'"

When we rest in Jesus, He WILL NOT rest until the matter we need taken care of is settled!  Now wait, the good news doesn't end there.  He even tells us when the matter will be settled at the end of that verse, TODAY, meaning it won't take Jesus long to take care of the matter.   Can you shout hallelujah?!

Dear loved ones, it is imperative in these last days that we must believe Jesus' promises, receive them into our hearts, and rest in them in order to stay at true inner rest and peace.   Doing so is so important for us that God gave us a scripture that tells us this is the one thing we must labor in (or work hard at).   We are to enter His rest in Him.  It is found in Hebrews chapter 4.

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

This scripture also tells us that when we are not in rest, we can fall into unbelief.  Unbelief and not trusting God go hand-in-hand.

Every day I encourage you to release any cares that come your way into Jesus' very loving and capable hands, and to confess audibly, "I do not let my heart be troubled, nor do I let it be afraid. I lay this care at Jesus' feet and I release the Holy Spirit into this situation in the Mighty Name, Power and Authority of Jesus Christ."  Then truly leave it there.  Ask Him to help you if you are not able.  Fear can be habit forming, so you may need His help to release it.

While waiting upon the Lord, if Jesus wants you to do something, He will tell you what to do.   If He does tell you to do something, then you do it, but don't try any longer to figure it all out.  Once you have released the problem, it's His.  Everything will fall into place as if it was divinely organized, because it is.   Jesus does not forget.

We confess every Sunday before our service, "We Believe what Jesus said; We Receive what Jesus said; We Rest in what Jesus said."   It's more affectionately known by the acronym of BRR because it is so cool.   Our part is only to focus on Christ and He will take care of the rest (in every sense and definition of the word "rest").

Let me leave you with Isaiah 26:3, "You (Jesus) will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You (Jesus)."  (NIV)

Many blessings as you rest in the Lord,

Pastor Sandy