Rest in Christ in the Crisis!

Jesus Christ is inviting us to come to Him and find rest. He finished everything that we needed on the cross. He has provided for our salvation, forgiveness, righteousness, healing, deliverance, provision, prosperity, protection, etc. Between God’s Word and Christ’s finished work on the cross, God has provided everything for us. Jesus has all the answers! Jesus faced the ultimate crisis of the cross so that we don’t have to face any crisis alone. The disciples invited Him into the boat then Jesus calmed the storm and gave them peace (John 6:16-21). He is waiting for us to invite Him into the crisis in our lives and situations.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)

Rest means to cease work or movement; to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength. Rest can also mean allowing inactivity to regain strength, health, or energy. That is why God told us to rest on the Sabbath to be refreshed and renewed as we relax and focus on Him (Exodus 20:8-11).

Resting in Christ is not inactivity but Spirit-led activity. We are to labor to enter into His rest (Hebrews 4:11). We do this by faith. We put our faith and trust in Him and what He accomplished on the cross. We cast our cares on Him and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit one step at a time to our breakthrough (1 Peter 5:7).

When Jesus ascended to heaven, He sat down at the right hand of the Father (Ephesians 1:20). To be seated means to be in a position of rest. We are seated in Christ (Colossians 3:1). We can respond with rest in a crisis because of our position in Him. When Jesus fed the 5,000 men, not counting women and children in the desert, He told them to sit down. We see that rest comes before receiving provision (Luke 9:10-17).

In Psalm 23, our Good Shepherd Jesus makes us lie down in green pastures, leads us beside still waters, and restores our souls. He will lead us through the valley of the shadow of death and to a place of victory. His rod and His staff defend, protect, and comfort us (Psalm 23:2-4).

God tells us in Psalm 46:10 to “be still and know that I am God.”  He wants us to stop and remember who He is, that He is fighting for us, and will deliver us! The battle belongs to the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:15). He will give us His wisdom and strength as He leads us to victory. Our Savior wants to provide us with His peace and bring restoration into our lives and situations (John 14:27). Our fight is to remain at rest in Him.

Psalm 91:1 tells us that divine protection begins with rest. We are to dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. “He who dwells” is the Hebrew word yashab, which means “to sit down” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible OT:3427). When we are in this position of rest, He protects us and delivers us from the enemy. We must have a revelation of our position in Christ that keeps us safe and secure.

We can rest in His love, goodness, and faithfulness. We come into a position of rest when we believe and receive what Christ has done on the cross. We cast our cares, fears, and anxieties on Him and follow His leading (2 Timothy 1:7; Philippians 4:6-7).

When we find ourselves in a crisis, or any danger, or distress, it can also be the turning point. As we rest in Christ in the middle of our crisis, He will work everything out for our good (Romans 8:28). He will bring us the miracle we need! So do not fear. Be at rest, and follow Him!

Recommended Resource: #595 Fear Not! Christ is in the Crisis, March 22, 2020 (JosephPrince.org/store)