Today's thought - 14 October 2026 (He is my refuge, my place of rest)

 

How are you, my friend? It is almost December and as the year is coming to an end many people are tired and weary of a very busy and hard year. I do not know what your year looked like, but I can tell you mine has been a rollercoaster of one uphill followed by ten more. You can say my faith has been properly tested.

We read from Hebrews 3, and my verse is verse 4, “For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God”. Now, remember yesterday I asked you, “Who is Jesus to you”. I want you to keep that in mind when we look at God as the builder of everything. So, let’s see if I saw this right and if I can explain to you what is on my heart.

To get to my point we have to look at Hebrews 4:10, “For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labours, just as God did after creating the world”.

Now there is like a million thoughts in my head so let me see if I can summarise it. The dictionary explains rest depending on context. Now it can mean getting a good night’s rest or what is left over or a pause as in music or an object that is designed to support something. Wow, now let’s see what the Bible say about rest. Biblical rest is both a physical cessation from work and a spiritual trust in God's sovereignty and presence.

God modelled rest when He created the world not that He was tired but that He set a pattern for trust which was later made the Sabath. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Rest is releasing the need to control and to rather seek God’s rule and protection. Then finally there is the final or permanent rest that mirrors God’s rest from finished work. Rest is not the absence of work but the presence of God. Rest is not giving up but understanding God’s sovereignty over everything. Rest is not running from responsibilities but instead trusting God for the outcome. Rest is not giving in to fear but instead standing on the rock who is Jesus Christ. Rest is not passive but a daily and continuous seeking for God.

So, how did I get from God builds everything to stepping into God’s rest. Ok, here is the picture in my head. You see without Jesus we can do nothing, yet we constantly fight against that by trying it our own way. What happens? We get frustrated and annoyed and upset. We give up or we throw in the towel or we end up sulking. God builds everything. Yes, everything. Skyscrapers do not pop up because man is so cool, it is designed and built by the grace of God for He gave them the insight and ability to do so. In the same way God builds the foundation on what we stand by His Word. You see when we realise that if the house in not build on God, those who labour on it is doing so in vain. The storm will rise and the house will fall.

But those who allows God to be their builder and who by seeking Him and following Him and finally to step into His rest will succeed. The rest I refer to is not two day’s sleep but instead the full surrender and trust that we need to place in God’s plan and God’s will. God clearly says Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jesus did not say come to me those who are weary and burdened and I will give you more worries. No, He said I will give you rest. It means that while you are building your life in Him and His promises, He will give you peace that surpassed all understanding. He will give you true rest from worries for He said that your Father knows what you need. So, do not worry about tomorrow. He said bring all your worries to God in prayer and supplication and He will give you peace (rest).

We can never truly rest when the worries and concerns and issues and crap of this world pollute our minds. We can only fully and truly rest when we are rooted in Jesus Christ and we completely trust Him. This means seeking Him above all else. Standing up one more time. Trying one more time. Taking a break and just allow Him to speak into your life. Humbling yourself before Him and to stop trying to fix everything yourself or in your way.

If the Lord builds the house (you), the enemy will never enter through the gate. So, God is the word rest in every aspect. Rest when you are tired, rest in what is left of you is enough for Him, rest in that moment in worship where you fully surrender and rest finally as God keeps you up when the storms come.

Have an awesome day, my friend and I pray that you will fully and completely find rest in our Lord, Jesus Christ.