“For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing…”
Isaiah 28:11-12a
In previous devotionals the Holy Spirit had me focus on reminding us not to worry, but to stay in faith. That the true Sabbath rest is to simply let go of worry and fear and just rest in God’s love and promises. That FAITH = REST. I spoke about how the Lord wants us to rest from the work of worry and instead labor to enter into His rest. As Jesus said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Mathew 11:28-30
When we choose to trust God over what we see and to cast our burdens upon Him and obey His command not to worry, then we can truly enjoy the good life. We can have joy and peace and all the best that God has for us. In Mathew 6:25-34 Jesus commands us not to take thought for tomorrow or for what we will eat, wear, etc. He let’s us know that our Heavenly Father knows what we need and how to provide for us. We must cast our cares on Him and trust that He will take care of us. (see Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7)
Yet there is another key to entering into this rest. We have already covered the importance of staying in faith, getting rid of worry and fear and making sure we are keeping our thoughts and words lined up with God’s word and promises (not the problem). However, there is another very important key to entering into that rest as spoken of in Isaiah 28…PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT. When we pray in our heavenly language (also known as tongues) we are building up and edifying our own spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:4a &14 says: “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” Jude 20 says: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost…”
As we pray in our heavenly language we are building ourselves up. We are allowing our spirit to increase and our flesh to decrease. The more we walk in the spirit, the more we will not gratify the lusts of the flesh. When we are walking in the spirit, we are resting. We are operating out of our born again new selves full of the fruits of the spirit. Therefore, one of the keys to resting, is simply by praying in the Holy Spirit and allowing our mind to rest and our spirit to be built up.
Let us determine to be like the Apostle Paul who said: “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all…” 1 Corinthians 14:18. This is one of the keys to how he was able to endure all the trials he encountered with a thankful heart and joyful attitude.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15
“For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”
Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
1 Peter 5:7
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
See also: Mathew 6:25-34, Hebrews 4:9-12, Philippians 4:6-8, Hebrews 4:3-11, and Acts
