Rest is to Trust God (and that is worship)

King Hezekiah destroyed the false worship sites. A couple of generations later, King Josaih did the same. He even went as far as breaking down altars in the Northern Kingdom. Yet Judah still went into exile. Destroying physical false worship sites was not enough. They needed to address the lack of trust in their hearts. They remained in Babylon for 70 years (as Jeremiah prophesied). This was determined by the number of years the land did not receive its rest.

Exodus 23:10-12 For six years you are to sow your land and gather the increase. But during the seventh year you are to let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor among your people may eat. Whatever they leave behind, the animals of the field may eat. You are to deal with your vineyard and your olive grove in the same way. You are to do your work for six days, but on the seventh day you will rest, so that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and also the son of your handmaid and the outsider may be refreshed.

To apply this, they needed to TRUST that God would provide a big enough harvest in the 6^th year, and that it would last them till harvest time in the 8^th year. Where is God inviting you to rest today?

Hebrews 4:3,6-11 For we who have trusted are entering into that rest. It is just as God has said, “So in My wrath I swore, ‘They shall never enter My rest (Ps 95:11)”.  So then it remains for some to enter into it; yet those who formerly had Good News proclaimed to them did not enter because of disobedience. Again, God appoints a certain day – Today– saying through David after so long a time, just as it has been said before, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So there remains a Shabbat rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered God’s rest has also ceased from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through the same pattern of disobedience. 

See, I set before you blessing and curse. I implore you. Choose life! Choose Rest. Choose to Trust God.   

All these scripture references are from TLV

• Wine ribbon with birds: Be like the birds. They do not gather into storehouses and do not fret but sing to the glory of God.  They do not compare, but each sings the song He gave them to sing.
• Pink ribbons: Represent healing. Jesus did many (if not most) of his healing miracles on the Shabbat. The day of rest. He said the Shabbat is for man, and not the other way around. When we enter a state of rest, it prompts a deep restorative function in our bodies. It was the failure to give the land its rest (every 7^th year) that determined the number of exile years in Babylon
• Grey ribbon with silver edges: Jesus is the Righteous Branch. He will always rule and ensure a fair and just outcome. (Jer 33:15). He is in control, and therefore I do not need to be in control. I may rest.
• Turquoise/aqua ribbons: He leads me to waters of rest. That is calm waters. This is where He replenishes me and cares for me, because He is the Good Shepherd. (Psalm 23:2-3)
• Burgundy satin ribbon: It is my blood covenant relationship with Jesus that enables this state of Rest. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Resting restores my life.
• Dark green ribbons: Evidence of rest in my life – a rich and abundant life this side of eternity.