28 January 2011

Why Do We (Still) Pray? - Enter His Rest


Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
28 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."
This is another reason we pray, to come into His REST. Notice that in the verses prior to 28-30, Jesus was praying about the truth (Himself) hidden and about the authority given to Him and to whom Jesus chooses to reveal Himself to. It is from the revelation of Himself to you, that your faith in Him strengthens.

The real gift of entering into His rest is that He teaches you about His truth and about being yoke with Him. The thing about being yoke with Jesus, is that, there is still a burden to bear, a burden He gives you but it is a burden that fits perfectly; meaning it is something that suits you, something you can handle. He also promises that the burden will be light. However, you must want it, willing to take the yoke upon yourselves, that is to be yoked with Him, that is being obedient to Him.

The reward however, can be great. You might not see it now, but by coming into his presence through a time of pray, with faith and patience (time) He rewards (Hebrew 11:6) your trust in Him. That is why God is described in scripture as our exceedingly abundant Rewarder.

Hebrew 11:6 (NLT)
6 So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
And from what Jesus teaches you, you will find rest for your soul. The verse that comes to mind when entering into His rest are:
John 14:27 (NLT)
"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid.
John 14:27 (NIV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
The word for "Peace" in Hebrew is "Shalom", which has a much richer meaning that just the peace of mind, that the word Peace implies. Shalom peace includes the wholeness of your entire being - spirit, soul and body. Shalom means having a sense of completeness and soundness that encompasses prosperity, health and total well-being.

When Jesus says He is leaving His peace, He is leaving His Shalom. It means He is giving His abundance to you; there is no lack. If Jesus is able to meet the needs of 5,000 thousand men (not counting the women and children) with 12 baskets full of leftovers (Mark 6:34-44), He will meet yours too. That is the kind of peace that Jesus leaves with you.

Praying allow us to enter into His rest, it also allows Him to teach us and for us to receive His Shalom Peace. His Shalom Peace will change whatever challenges we may have.

Rest assured that when we rest in God, He is working for us behind the scenes. He promises that He will supply all your needs and He will supply them, not out of His richness but according to His richness. (Philippians 4:19)

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