God Has Given You Rest

God Has Given You Rest

“And GOD gave them rest on all sides, just as He had solemnly promised their ancestors. Not one of their enemies was able to stand against them—GOD handed all their enemies over to them.” (Joshua 21:44)

God is faithful to His word. What He promises, He performs. The rest Israel enjoyed was not accidental; it was the fulfillment of a divine vow. Though their journey had been long and marked by battles, God brought them to a place of peace exactly as He said He would.

The Old Testament is a shadow that points to a greater substance revealed in the New Testament. Where there is a shadow, there must be a reality. If God could give His people rest then, we can be confident that He gives rest now. The promise has not expired.

Yet like Gideon, many of us ask, “If God has given me rest, why do I still see challenges around me?” The answer lies in the text itself. Israel’s rest did not mean the absence of enemies; it meant victory in the presence of enemies. Scripture says none of them could stand against God’s people.

This echoes : God prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. Rest is not always the removal of opposition; sometimes it is the assurance of God’s supremacy over it. As Caleb boldly declared, the enemy is bread for us. God has already handed them over.

So enjoy your rest. Stand firm in the confidence that God has surrounded you with His peace and power. What confronts you cannot conquer you.

Reflection
True rest is not defined by a trouble-free life but by a God-governed life. When God gives rest, no enemy can successfully rise against you. Learn to rest in His promise, even when challenges are still visible.

Prayer
Father, thank You for the rest You have given me on every side. Help me to trust Your promise even when I face opposition. Teach me to enjoy Your peace in the midst of challenges and to walk boldly in the victory You have already secured for me. Amen.

Have a fruitful day
(Dr.) Emmanuel Okoro
(aka Dr. Lift).
.

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