There are periods within our Christian journey where things run rather smoothly. We’ll notice that this is particularly true after we’ve received a spiritual promotion. When we’ve graduated from one spiritual level to the next, it is almost always connected to learning what God has ordained us to learn, and satisfying an aspect of the purpose to which we’ve been called. We gain another notch on our spiritual belts, and we’ve moved forward and upward, toward the mark of the high call of God in Jesus Christ. Undoubtedly after this, there is a reward and blessing. This is how we know we’ve pleased the Father.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus Christ said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Our Lord offers us continual rest in him, but there are periods of rest that are more at ease than others. This is a period that I call the ‘interim rest’, because it is between the stage of spiritual growth that we left behind and the one that is to come. It is a stabilization of our conditions, where we won’t have the ups and downs that sometimes exists in seasons of growth and tribulation, but we’re on an even keel so to speak. Often, we enter this interim rest period after we’ve encountered and triumphed through a significant life challenge.
Romans 5:3-5(NLT) tells us, “3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” This is the good fight of faith that it talks about in 1Timothy 6:12. The mere reality that you and I were born into this earthly realm signifies that we’ve entered a fight to the finish. And we can’t mistake this fight for a small contest that we might easily forget. Life on earth is serious business.
Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) tells us a little bit about what we’re up against when we enter the arena of spiritual battle on earth. It says, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” If we forget that we’re in a fight, and neglect to use every piece of spiritual weaponry that God has provided through Christ, we will not be able to resist the enemy. We might fall prey to his schemes and plots against us.
Life is a fantastic voyage, and as God’s sons and daughters, we need to be confident that He has equipped us to be overcomers and more than conquerors. Heavenly Father intends that we are strong going into battle, and stronger coming out of it. Too many of us are giving up much too soon, and it is because we haven’t learned to endure in faith.
God also grants us a period of rest when we’ve experienced a victory regarding a desire that has been the mainstay of our hearts and prayers. Sometimes we have desires that will give our faith muscle quite a workout. There may be periods that it feels like things are not going to happen for us, and we may get discouraged. Just when we think we’ve run out of steam, we muster up that last pocket of endurance and push through in faith. God didn’t withhold the blessing from us. The marriage of our thoughts and actions produced exactly what faith required to finalize the transaction.
A period of rest will often come after we’ve contended in the faith against a relentless enemy that tries to steal our blessings, prevent our spiritual growth, and destroy our relationship with Heavenly Father. As children of the Most High, and ambassadors for Christ, we need to make room in our understanding for the reality of both battle and rest. God created us in such a way that we rest for six to eight hours only. This tells us that He intends us to be alert and in the game during the hours we’re awake.
Whether its restoration of our marriages, health and healing, mental and emotional well-being, prosperity, success, or whatever it is that we desire, Jesus Christ said in Mark 11:24(NKJV), “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” As soon as we pray, blessings are on their way to us, but sometimes there will be spiritual battles along the way. More knowledge about Jesus Christ will need to be learned, and we will have to release and surrender some things that are no longer useful to our journeys forward. These are all a part of experiencing life on earth as a citizen of heaven.
For those currently in this state of interim rest, take full advantage of it. Soak in every ounce of revelation and wisdom from God’s Word that you can, so you’ll be prepared for the next round. For those in the thick of battle now, no matter how long it takes to get your mind and heart on board with the faith of Jesus Christ, you cannot give up. Romans 5:5 tells us that our hope in Christ will not lead to disappointment. So, whatever we’re up against right now, we must look forward to the wonderful rest that is ours to claim, and remain confident that we will secure another victory, if we’ll endure in Christ until it comes. ■
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Endure Out of Rest” written by Reverend Fran Mack, edited by Kim Times for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2018. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.