Trust & Rest (F)

Read: Habakkuk 2: 3, 3: 17-19, Psalms 62: 5; Job 1: 21, 19: 13-27, 42: 5; Numbers 27: 18; Deuteronomy 12: 9

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speak of end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Habakkuk 2: 3

       Today I shall give you two example in Habakkuk and Job about Trust and rest, after I finish with conclusions.

(6)  Rest for hope.

        In Psalms 62: 5 said, "Find rest. O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him." We find rest in our hope. And 46: 10 said, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  We need to know God who is in control for everywhere and everything.

         Habakkuk 2:3 said, "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speak of the end and will not prove false. Through it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." Patience means waiting God's time without doubting God's love. Habakkuk learnt to rest God's appointments and await his working in a spirit of worship.

         Then Habakkuk knew how to trust the Lord with joy and stand on God's promises, not situations. So he could be confident to say it where was written in 3: 17-19, "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and not cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God, my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go one the heights."

         Then trust, we can see who gained by continuing to trust God, Job is often sited as an old Testament picture of Jesus Christ who lived a perfectly innocent life but endured great pain and death. The terrible event of Christ death was also transformed into a great victory.

          In Job 1: 21 said, and (Job) said; "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart will return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; my the name of the Lord be praised." And 19: 13-27, verse 25 said, "I know that my Redeemer (defender) lives,  and that in the end, he will stand upon the earth. (upon my grave) After Job passed all trouble and suffering and 42: 5 said, "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you." He has seen God with his own eyes. And God restored everything to Job who was faithful until the end.

       Faith is trust in the person of Jesus, the truth of his teaching and the redemptive work which he accomplished at Calvary. Then faith may also refer to body of trust which constitutes the whole of the Christian message. (Judas)

       Numbers 27:18, So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit and lay your hand on him." Joshua's is trust in God as a man in whom is the spirit.

Conclusions

       Trust and rest can not depart one another, the need each others. When we trust in God, we are rest in our soul in God. All burdens have gone, all storms seem stopping, the are waving and unsettle but your heart is secure in act of God. Rest brings forwards peace, joy and power of God. Because we trust God who is the Rock eternal (Isaiah 26: 3-4), He has never forsake us (Psalms 9: 10) make or direct our path straight (Proverbs 3: 5-6), so that we rejoice and sing the thankful songs. (Psalms 28: 7). Because the Lord is our God with unfailing love in His Holy Name (Psalms 33:  21), God has promised those who trust in Him and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. (Psalms 37: 3) (Rest) Righteousness and justice will shin up when we trust in God and fear not, while the person who trusts God will be like a tree that has its root sunk deep inside a stream. (Jeremiah 17: 8)

        Rest, you trust in God who gives you rest, and with you always. (Exodus 33: 14) Your soul will relief and burdens off. (Matthew 11: 28-29) Then your trust in God who brings rest secure. (Psalms 16: 9) and relief  from suffering and comforting in rest (Isaiah 14: 3) and rest his work for your soul. God promised rest to the Israelites in the land of Canaan. (Deuteronomy 12: 9, since you have no yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the Lord your God is giving you.)

        These means rest of souls as Christ offers to us. Then trust is action of faith in obedience and rest is result of trust. We need two sides as one coin. Then our lives will be enjoyed green land with all the season fruit in roots of the Lord as our promised land and resting place in our souls.

        Trust and Rest are two sides in one coin which can serve God better way!

Author: Rev. Rebecca Sun