Rest to the People of God

For unto us was the Gospel preached as also unto them: but the word that they heard, profited not them, because it was not mixed with faith in those that heard it. For we which have believed, do enter into rest. -Hebrews 4:2-3

The Bible is full of practical instruction and familiar phrases, but the words have little effect if they are not absorbed with faith. Many will read the words of a psalm knowing there is some good thing contained in the verses, but they’ll come away still hard-hearted.

Rest comes from being content with what God’s given us, whether it’s plenteous riches or a heap of tribulation, or anything in between. True contentedness comes by faith that the Lord is our redeemer and our strength in all situations.

If you are not content, try setting your own will aside and seeking the Lord’s will through prayer and the studying of scripture. Tune your senses to detect God’s intentions for your life and then submit yourself to them.

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. -Proverbs 14:12

When you meditate, let it not be in the transcendental sense, but read through the scriptures line by line and rest your thoughts upon the Word of God.

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. -Hebrews 4:9

If Any of You Lack Wisdom

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." — James 1:5

Image credit: Tim Wildsmith via Unsplash

In 1st Kings 19, when Elijah was despondent and ready to forsake his commission as a prophet he found that the Lord was not in the earthquake or the fire but in “a still small voice.”

Isaiah speaks of that small voice guiding us as well, "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” — Isaiah 30:21

Jesus can reveal himself directly or through visions or dreams (“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,.. Hebrews 1:1)” but we have now a more sure word of prophecy (2nd Peter 1:19) revealed to us through His word the Bible.

If you lack wisdom ask God for it (James 1:5), and the surest place to hear a response from him is in the pages of scripture. That still small voice will lead you to the instruction that you need.

“For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

What is a Woman?

Let us look to the bible for this answer.

There is nothing else to do in a nation whose leaders are unable to plainly respond to this question. American psychopathy is only properly rebuked using the Word of God.

On a basic level, women were created to be the “help meets” for men and we know this because Genesis 2:18 tells us, “…It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”

These plain words might offend a modern woman having been groomed by social media and television, but a Christian woman finds comfort in the truth of God’s Word.

“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” -Proverbs 31:30

Let us not compare ourselves to world standards which encourage consumption and pleasure-seeking. Instead, search the scriptures to find God's standards. Proverbs 31:10 tells us that a virtuous woman is worth more than precious stones.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

What is a virtuous woman?

"Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."

-Proverbs 31:25-27

This is not a picture of a perfect, sinless, housewife. This is a woman who diligently tends to all of her duties in the fear of the Lord, whether she's married or single. She will sin and make mistakes along the way, but she knows who her master is and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Many women and their daughters have fallen prey to heathen programing, not knowing or flat out rejecting biblical instruction on how to behave. The world system is attractive and gives the impression that there is no need for God. It's easy to fall into the trap of doing what makes us happy rather than doing what God intends, because after all, we only live once!

This is the big lie of modernity and because of it we fail to realize how depraved and ugly we are. If we feel we are generally good and well-meaning, then it would be difficult to accept the idea that our hearts are deceitful above all things. But the truth is:

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

-Jeremiah 17:9

And our souls will go on into eternity! Either to the new heaven and the new earth or a hellfire that is never quenched.

For the women who've been caught up in the world, know that there is a better way and a better standard to hold to, and it is never to late to turn there. Find your way to Proverbs 31 and may your hearts be changed.

Amen.

Photo Credit: unsplash.com,Sofia Branco