Obedience To God Is Rest

Leviticus 26

Leviticus 26 is an interesting chapter in the Bible. It explains (like Deuteronomy 28) the blessings and curses associated with obedience or disobedience to the LORD.

However, in continuance of yesterday's post, I see a common theme: the Sabbath.

But it is not just the Sabbath day for man. It also addresses the Sabbath year for the land.

Obviously, the land cannot sin, but man's sin can affect the land.

The key to understanding these blessings and curses seems to be found in "rest." The Sabbath is a day (or year as it pertains to the land) of rest. This day of rest is indicative of relationship with God. Relationship with God is contingent upon obedience.

So, it might be concluded that obedience to God is, in fact, rest. How profound a thought is that?

When we are obedient to God, we have rest in all areas of life. When we rest in God, efforts for ourselves are unnecessary. When we rest in God, it is not necessary that we look out on our own behalves because God is our everything. When we rest in Him, our lives are secure in everything He is - our righteousness, sanctifier, peace, present God, healer, provider, shepherd, the flag that flies over us, forgiver, advocate, refuge, strength, defender, and protector.

As I think about my own life, it is alarming how much I do because I am not actually resting in God and all He is.

This must change.

Father, I realize that our society is so far from what the Bible describes and mandates. I furthermore realize that it is not the Bible's job to fit our culture, but our culture's job to fit the Bible. Help me to seek to look like the Bible and not make the Bible look like me. Help me to rest in You and Your Word.