God is faithful and good. God is sovereign. God is our redeemer.
What have we been created for?
Created for Rest (Reign and Rule)
Act Two, Week 3
We are entering the busy season. Maybe you haven't noticed it, but I have. There are so many things on our plates, that when we lay our heads on our pillows at night, we are already thinking about the next day's work. At least I am.
Are you in a hurry to get things done? Are you rushing and running till life's no fun? Are you looking at the list and thinking "no way," checking things off day by day? If so, I bet you have said, "Man, I need some rest!" Well, friend, I sure hope you get some rejuvenation—maybe even a nap. However, that's not the rest we are referring to in our study this week. Rest and relaxation are not the same thing. Our definition of the English word, rest, wasn't exactly what God was referring to in Genesis 2:3.
Now that we have that out on the table, let's take a look at this week's focus: We have been created for rest (reign and rule). What is the connection between rest, reign, and rule? Resting is letting God reign in your life. It is allowing Him to rule you as you serve Him as His image-bearer. On day six of creation, we see that "God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). He declared all that He had created very good. It was complete. Everything was exactly as He wanted it. All of the turmoil, chaos, and the void of Genesis 1:2 was now rectified, created, and stable.
On day 7, God ceases to create and ceases to make. Why? It wasn't because He finally completed His "to-do" list. He doesn't sit back and take a nap, like we may imagine. The work isn't finished; creation is. God is in a position to enjoy all that He has made, and especially us, the image-bearers, who function on His behalf among creation. He blesses the seventh day and sanctifies it...(Genesis 2:3). Creation was completed, but His rule and reign are ongoing! God's rest continues while humanity labors before Him, serving in their appointed tasks.
You see, creation was God's temple; God's presence fills creation as He takes up His residence there on the seventh day. This is His rest where He reigns and rules. We reflect on this when we read Psalm 93, "The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting."
Creation is where God intends to dwell. As God's story unfolds, we will see the gracious measures that God took to dwell with His very wayward people. From the Ark, to the Tabernacle, to the Temple, to now.
Today, if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are God's living temple. He rests and reigns in your heart. He rules—He dwells in you. I don't think God's creation of the cosmos was solely for man to enjoy, but also for God, Himself.
For His rest.
For Him to Reign and Rule in His Creation.
For His Glory.
He is calling us, “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!” Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy" (Psalm 132:7-9).
Because we are made in the image and likeness of God, and we have also been given dominion over the earth (Psalm 8). Through our faith in Jesus, we also can enter into this Rest. "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:6). Allow Him to reign and rule. Obey him. He is good and faithful. The author of Hebrews is trying to convince Israel to NOT go back to Judaism, to their old laws and checklists, but to remain in the faith. Rest is part of that faith. Israel struggled. This is why we can relate so well with the Israelites. We also struggle, harden our hearts by rebelling, and do not hear His voice. But we are not Israelites, waiting for a Messiah to come. He has come and Jesus reigns in us. Jesus is enough! "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his" (Hebrew 4:9-10).
You see, this rest is not about relaxing but about letting God reside, reign and rule in you. Giving Him the control He always had. Why? Why do we keep trying to rule without Him, on our own? We can trust in His faithful promises, and we can believe that He is good.
Sisters, as you lay your head down on your pillow tonight, think about these things. He is the King; we are His kingdom. He rests (reigns and rules) in His people—in you and I. Trust in the Lord with your life. He is in control. Abide in Him and He will give you peace. As Charles Spurgeon said, "The sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which the child of God rests his head at night, giving perfect peace.”
♥️ Meghan
