Finding Rest in the Nature of God
Finding Rest in the Nature of God
Exodus 33:19 New Living Translation
The LORD replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.
We know that rest (meaning ceasing from struggle/effort) is important to God. He made a point of mentioning it in Genesis 2:1-3. Much of our Christian walk is spent trying to receive the rest God as we face difficult situations, periods of delay, and occasions that bring challenges to our daily lives. It would be helpful if we could find a focus that would allow us to enter His rest in every situation we faced. One well-known minister of the Gospel has an interesting perspective that he says will help us find that focus. In fact, he says it is the most important discovery we can ever make in our spiritual life. He refers to it as a life-long “journey into the Nature of God.”
How do we get on the path to this journey? Exodus 33:19 is a great starting point. This was the Lord’s response to Moses when he asked to see His Glory. When we think of God’s Glory, we might be likely to mention His Sovereignty, His Omnipotence or His Omnipresence. Yet, God, Himself, chose His Goodness to reveal to Moses. So, our journey into the Nature of God begins with a revelation of God’s Goodness in our lives. Another minister of the Gospel wrote about discovering a metrological term called, “absolute zero.” It is the point where there is no heat whatsoever present in cold. He went on to say that God is “absolute good.” There is no bad in Him. We must come to the point (and it may take some time) where the very first thing we think of when we think about God is His Goodness. The challenge for us to do that will come daily as circumstances and attitudes will want to get us off-course.
Our journey must be personal. When we begin to see God’s Goodness directed at our own lives, scriptures will come alive in a new way. Romans 8:32 (NASB 1995) says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” becomes our battle cry in every adverse situation we face. Luke 12:32 (NKJV), 32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom,” becomes the assurance that God delights in bringing good things into our lives. It is no longer a question of will God do it, but a statement of fact that He has already done it, and as our focus is fixed on Him, we “rest” as the resolution unfolds.
The journey into the Nature of God is the most rewarding journey we can take in our relationship with the Lord. All other journeys in His Kingdom will be affected by how far we get in this one. The Message Bible sums it up in a simple, profound way in Luke 12:32:
29-32 “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
It is a rest unlike any other! 
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