Promised Land of Rest

They watched in wonder as the walls of water came crashing down, crushing their pursuers and washing away the life of slavery they had been so desperate to leave behind.

They turned to God in praise, lifting up a song to the great I AM who made a way when there literally was no other way.

They grumbled in discontent because their stomachs growled as they moved toward a homeland that was supposed to be flowing with milk and honey.

They turned to God in praise, lifting up thanks as the white dust covered the ground, filling their empty stomachs with the nourishment they craved.

They complained, crying out in frustration because of parched throats, considering their life as better in the land they left behind and forgetting what God had already done.

They turned to God in satisfaction as water flowed from the rock, quenching their dry mouths and restoring their weary bodies.

They coward in fear at the sight of cities and ‘giant’ men that filled the luscious land, doubting God’s ability to hand over what was already theirs in Him.

In Deuteronomy 1:29-31 Moses spoke to the people, reminding them that God would go before them and fight on their behalf just as He had when He brought them up and out of Egypt. He also spoke to them about how He carried them through the wilderness, providing for every single one of their needs.

“Yet, in spite of this word you did not believe the Lord your God.” (vs.32 emphasis added)

“And the Lord heard your words and was angered, and he swore, ‘Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land that I swore to give to your fathers.” (vs.34-35)

A generation of people were excluded from entering the ‘rest’ of the Promised Land because they didn’t believe God’s promises. Unbelief kept them outside, wandering, exhausted and without hope.

How then do we enter God’s rest?

We start by believing Him at His Word.

For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. - Hebrews 4:2

The good news came to the Israelites first through Abraham and the promises God made to him. These promises were repeated to Moses who shared it with them. And then through Joshua and Caleb, God promised to conquer their enemies and give them the land of Canaan if they would obey and trust Him.

This group heard God’s voice and the good news He promised about what awaited them on the other side of the Jordan. And they knew what was required on their part to embrace this rest I’m sure they so desperately desired. But they didn’t listen.

All throughout their journey they grumbled and complained about needs that weren’t being met, instead of turning to the God who was ready to meet all their needs. And when it came to finally entering the promised place of rest, it stayed just out of reach because they doubted and put their fear in man instead of God.

Today God speaks to us through His Word and He has shared with us the mystery of salvation through His Word. The Bible is our first source of getting to know God for who He is and embracing the reality that His promises hold true because He is a faithful God, even when we are faithless.

As we embrace God through His Word, seeking to know Him better our belief in Him will grow. As we listen to Him and turn our needs over to Him, trusting that He is taking care of us in every single step of our wilderness journey we will grow in awe and wonder of who He is.

We need to believe what God tells us and faithfully walk in obedience to what He says. He knows what is best for us because He made us. God doesn’t force our hand to believe or listen to Him, but He promises that when we do, it will be good for us.

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! - Psalm 119:2

We also enter God’s rest by remembering His presence is always with us.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. - James 4:8a

The Israelites literally had God’s presence WITH them as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. They even experienced Him first hand at Mount Sinai as fire and thunder on the mountain. His presence was real and tangible to this group of people, and yet they kept drifting because they kept seeking their own way.

Today we have God’s presence with us, residing in us in the form of the Holy Spirit. He is our gift and down payment of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:14) that is still to come in Heaven. He leads us, directs us, comforts us and teaches us. He is our helper who is constantly with us (John 14:26).

Remember, His presence is always with you, which means even when your quiet time with Him is over, it doesn’t mean His presence stays behind in that space where you were reading your Bible or praying. Simply because that part of your day is done, doesn’t mean your time with Him is. He walks with you in the thick of it. As you step into your day or the next task, find comfort and peace in knowing that He remains by your side and in His strength you can keep going.

You can turn to Him whenever you need.

You can talk to Him whenever you have a concern.

You can ask for His help when you're having a hard time.

You can thank Him whenever you experience His goodness.

Our God is not a distant God and He doesn’t desire that we be a distant people. He has invited us inside from our wandering by making a way back to Him through Jesus, covering us in His righteousness and giving us a hope that goes beyond the grave. He wants us to stay closer to Him than anything else in this world and believe that He is our Promised Land of rest.

With much love - Krista

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Unshakable Rest 10 Week Program

RENEW YOUR MIND

Rest is such an integral part of our walk with Christ, but we live in a world that is forever on, that never sleeps and is terribly loud. Something I've struggled with in the world of constant go and pressing forward, is knowing how to make room for rest. To switch off the ON botton, embrace the quiet and stillness of God and to simply be present.

This is one of the many reasons why I created the Unshakable Rest Program: Renew Your Mind. The very first step in really learning how to keep our rest in the Lord is through the renewal of our minds. I have found a major difference in my walk with Christ simply by taking control over what goes on in my thought life. In this program I share what God has taught me (and is still teaching me), along with practical tools to help you gain the upper hand over what goes into your mind and experience the peace that surpasses all understanding .

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