Recipe for Soul Rest

After being busy teaching on rest, I decided to rest this weekend. So I’m sharing with you a handout I gave out last week when I spoke on The Recipe for Rest.

My key verse came from Hebrews 4:2 (NIV), which says “For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.” In other words, good news without faith is useless. The Israelites missed the Promised Land of rest because of lack of faith, not for lack of God’s good news or good will. We can learn from their failure: Good News + Faith = Rest.

When we lack rest, we either don’t know or have forgotten God’s promises, or we don’t believe they apply to us in our situation. Faith activates God’s promises. This handout lists some good news that has meant a lot to me. Click to download it: Good News-Faith-Rest handout

I closed my talk with a story about Max, my standard poodle who has Addison’s disease. What I didn’t tell the group is that he had been struggling that week. Neither did I mention the botched blood test he’d had the same week. By the time I learned the vet couldn’t get a clear reading from his blood sample and needed another sample, I’d already given him his monthly injection of percorten. Since I’d already given him his shot, we have to wait another month to retest him.

He hardly moved the next two days. Not a good sign. Whenever he suffers it takes me back to the three times he’s almost died in the first three years of his life. You can read some back story on Max here and here.

That night I shared how Max cannot comprehend the connection between being pierced with needles at the vet’s office and being able to run and play at home. He doesn’t have to. I understand, and I take care of him. All he has to know is I love him.

So often I think that if I can understand why I’m going through something or how it will benefit me, then I will have peace. But understanding is not the key to rest. Faith is.

Jesus said,  “Come to Me…and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NASB).

The better we know Jesus, the more we trust Him. And the more we trust Him, the better we rest in Him.

All the promises of God are wrapped up in Jesus. I don’t have to understand how my current challenge will work for my eternal good. I don’t have to figure out how to make it happen. I only need to know Jesus loves me and will be who He says He is. Trusting Jesus is the source of soul rest.

Approximately 650,000 fighting aged men left Egypt with Moses. All of them heard God’s promise to give them rest in Canaan. But only two believed. Those two, Joshua and Caleb, were the only ones of that generation that received God’s rest.

God gave me rest in my heart the night I had to speak, in spite of my concern for Max. An hour after we came home, Max bounced back with youthful vigor. Maybe all he’d needed was a few days of rest!

Click here to comment.

Blessings,

Debbie W. Wilson

Linking to #Livefree Thursday.

More From This Category

God’s Amazing Rescue Out of War-Torn Israel

God’s Amazing Rescue Out of War-Torn Israel

My friend Deb DeArmond and her husband Ron were in Israel when the war started on Oct. 7, 2023. Here’s the incredible story of God’s presence and provision for them in that harrowing time. God—an Ever-Present Help in Trouble Wailing sirens startled Deb and her group....

read more
4 Who Practiced Faith Despite Strong Doubts

4 Who Practiced Faith Despite Strong Doubts

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” —Psalm 20:7 I tend to associate faith with feeling confident. A fearless, ready to tackle the world attitude. But that’s not the picture the heroes in Hebrews 11 paint. Moses...

read more
Biblical Trivia and a New Game

Biblical Trivia and a New Game

Did you know that Gideon’s famous fleeces came from doubt, not faith? Do you know the three brave female heroines who played a role in saving baby Moses from death? Did you know that Daniel was willing to go to the lions’ den for a personal conviction that wasn’t even...

read more

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Kathleen

    Good morning Debbie!
    Enjoyed reading your message this morning 🙂 and enjoy my weekend in at the retreat 🙂 I look at rest a little differently now 🙂 thanks you for sharing Gods wisdom with us. I pray God will bless your family and you in this week. May we both REST well in The Lord this week and give Him our heart, soul, mind, and trials, while giving Him all the Glory 🙂

    Your sister in Christ,
    Kathleen

    • Debbie Wilson

      Kathleen, thank you! What a pleasure to hear from you. And “Amen” to may we both rest in the Lord!

  2. Meg Gemelli

    I struggled with rest and still do sometimes. I found my life moving at 100 miles an hour and wondering why I was exhausted. God forced rest on our family this summer and it was life changing. Now I protect that time fiercely, thankful for His quiet voice that is only found there. I’m always thankful for reminders to stay disciplined in the area of rest. Thank you Debbie!!

    • Debbie Wilson

      Good for you, Meg! It’s a valuable lesson.

Refreshing Faith Blog

Pin It on Pinterest