Strength in Rest

For thus says the Lord Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, In returning and rest you will be saved; In quietness and in trust will be your strength; But you were not willing, Isaiah 30:15   

In the same principle as "eating our work," in rest is our strength, too. Another spiritual mysterious paradox. But this is the truth. The rest here is the rest in the Lord, the principle of Sabbath in the New Testament. This rest is not a lazy rest, but a rest in Christ. This is another eternal gospel for the believers who are "missionary" work-minded. The Lord is urgently in need of men who would rest in Him, not work for Him. His works can effectively be accomplished only by those who truly rest in Him first. No rest, no work. 

The church in Ephesus, Thyatira, and Sardis are good examples of works and works with no true rest in the Lord. Despite their "works", the Lord had something against them. They did not truly carry out the Lord's work despite their many works. In the midst of works, they lost the work that was most important; to rest in the Lord and be one with the Lord. No wonder, the Lord's word in the gospel of Matthew warned of such workers.

Matthew  7:22   Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, was it not in Your name that we prophesied, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name did many works of power? 7:23   And then I will declare to them: I never knew you. Depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.

Therefore, I must rest in Him, taking Him as my Sabbath daily. As I rest in Him, I am accumulating the riches of Christ in His words. This then becomes my constitution; being filled with the word of Christ. Then, as the Lord anoints these words, these Logos will become Rhema whenever the Lord deems best. And I will be reminded by the Lord of His words in me. 

But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and remind you of all the things which I have said to you. John 14:26  

What if I do not rest in Him and be constituted with Him in His word? There would be nothing to be reminded of. In that case, I would be spiritually bankrupt and would have no rest at all. Even if I would try my best to work out something, it will all be restlessness. Therefore, in resting in Him, I am accumulating the riches of Christ in His words, which are also my words and works. Resulting in a rich deposit of spiritual treasure of all the experiences and enjoyment of Christ for years altogether. This is being a scribe discipled to the kingdom of the heavens with rich treasure from which I can mine and bring forth spiritual riches from things new and old, whenever the need arises.  

And He said to them, For this reason every scribe discipled to the kingdom of the heavens is like a householder who brings forth out of his treasure things new and old. John 13:52  

The new things are good; they are the daily manna that the Lord taught us to pray for in Matthew 6:11, "Give us today our daily bread." Daily manna has to be collected, consumed, and be constituted with, but that's not good enough. The old also is very much needed. The past experiences and enjoyment of Christ as an eternal memorial are the backbone and testimony of a believer that will make him a pillar in course of time. The old confirms the growth and maturity that qualifies one to be an overcomer. Therefore, such will be made pillars in the temple of God.   

He who overcomes, him I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall by no means go out anymore, and I will write upon him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My new name. Revelation 3:12   

All these will be the result of resting in the Lord. Therefore, in rest in my strength. What a deep and profound spiritual lesson! This is to come to the Lord, to take His yoke, and rest in Him. What a gospel of rest!

Matthew

11:28  Come to Me all who toil and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
11:29  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
11:30  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Lord, cause me to come to You and rest in You daily.