Rest But Don’t Rust

My Daddy was a work horse. I mean this man worked hard his entire life. He grew up during the Great Depression so he had to work hard. I really think he had to learn how to rest because it was such a foreign concept to him.

I’d like to take a moment to look at a few characters in the Bible. Starting with Benaiah.

Benaiah was a warrior.

2 Samuel 8:18 KJV Benaiah was over both the Cherethites (executioners) and the Pelethites (couriers and bodyguards). 2 Samuel 23:20-21 KJV He slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow: 21 And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.

He was David’s bodyguard and a prominent leader in his army. He was considered one of the “mighty men.” He also helped David’s son Solomon become king, killed Solomon’s enemies, and served as the chief of Solomon’s army. Like I said he was a warrior and when the battle arose, he was ready.

We need to be warriors and involved in the battle in times of war. David failed with Bathsheba because he took rest in time of war. We can’t rest when we should be fighting. We must have what I call the “spirit of Uriah.” You see when he was called home in war time and was offered comforts, he refused. He would not live comfortably when his brethren were at war.

There are times that we will be at war. I think though we get so used to being at war we don’t understand that sometimes there are times of peace. In these times of peace, we often don’t know what to do. In these times of peace, God will give us rest (it is important that we rest at times). In these times of peace and rest it is equally important what we do.

Let’s look back at Benaiah.

Benaiah was more than a warrior. He was a father and being a father comes with spiritual obligations. He was also a Levitical priest. He was a musician who played a stringed instrument and the trumpet. You see there was more to Benaiah than being a warrior. He was always ready in times of war, but he stayed faithful in times of peace. The key is that he always stayed faithful near God

We must always be ready to fight (in the spirit) if we need to, but we must learn what to do in times of peace. Benaiah continued to serve God. He also trained. You don’t just resume battle and not continue to train. He worshipped God and promoted worship. I’m sure that he rested and had leisure time.

I do want you to understand that I am not at all saying that we can’t go on vacation or have leisure time. There is nothing wrong with leisure time as long as this time does not distract us from the kingdom. In Mark 6 Jesus called the disciples apart to rest, but then lost souls began to show up. Jesus had compassion on them and ministered unto them. Though Jesus planned a time of rest, He allowed it to be interrupted to reach for souls.

Times of peace or not times to become lazy and stop doing, but times to rejuvenate and draw closer to God. When God gives us times of rest, we must rest in Him and not from Him. Pray continually, there is never, never a point in our lives that we can cease to pray. We find multiple times in the scripture where Jesus went apart to pray. Read your Bible and draw close to God. Spend time with your family, this may be on a vacation or just at home. We cannot neglect our families. Attend church and worship God. Taking a break from church is not resting, that is “rusting” putting yourself in danger. Hebrews 10:25 says that we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. I call it rusting because the quickest way to ruin a good tool is to lay it around unprotected from the elements of the world. It says in Proverbs 27:17 KJV 17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. So surround yourselves with likeminded brothers and sisters in Christ that can keep you sharp and shining so you can reflect God’s glory.

You may be a prayer warrior, an intercessor, a pastor, teacher, evangelist, etc. When times of peace come utilize them. Use them to replenish your soul. Because another battle will arise, and we must be ready.

Let’s go a little deeper.

It says in Romans 8:37 KJV Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. I know that this is saying that we are well able to conqueror anything through Jesus. I think it is saying much more than that. I think it’s saying we are more than warriors; we are more than fighters. We are His loved ones, His children. Look what the next scriptures say.

Romans 8:38-39 KJV 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is a relationship with a child. A relationship that nothing will separate us from His love. With this understanding we know that can rest securely in Him.

Psalm 37:7 NHEB Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him.

If you truly want to find rest look at Isaiah 28:11-12 KJV 11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

This is a prophecy of the infilling of the Holy Ghost, if you’d like to know more message me.