“There remains a rest for the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Let us therefore labor to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” (Hebrews 4:9-11)

Paradoxically we are told to strive to stop striving. Essentially the instruction is a call to push beyond the veil and enter into that realm of His rest by faith. Once immersed in His rest, (which is to say His presence), we experience a divine thrust that carries us along in Christ-like behavior and attitude. True rest is not vacation, true rest is the presence of God. This is a rest that can be done amidst activity, not in the absence of activity. You can be doing much work, and bearing much fruit, yet remaining in a place of internal rest that is flowing from the conscious awareness of His presence within. Living in His presence will produce an inner-calmness and peace, and yet will ignite such divine passion and ability to bear fruit for the kingdom. This is what the apostle Paul was speaking of when he said that “His grace was not without effect,” it made him work harder than anyone else, yet he acknowledged that it wasn’t him, but the grace of God working within him propelling him with supernatural energy. This is what rest is all about: it’s Holy Spirit led, inspired, and empowered activity. A simple analogy would be like throwing up your sail to catch the wind. The sail doesn’t do the work, the sail is merely a container for the wind (energy). In the same way when we catch the wind of the Holy Spirit we then are pulled along by the energies of His grace, and we’ll find that fruitfulness will abound in our lives. It’s all about being fully filled with His glory each and every day.

One practical application of this would be overcoming temptations through rest. Here’s a helpful key, when you’re tempted, just turn inward to the Holy Spirit’s presence and start drinking. His presence will kill that desire. Instead of facing the temptation in your own strength retreat into His presence within, and allow the Holy Spirit to fight for you. Drink your way to victory! The rest of faith is a realm of God’s presence that we enter into, and in that dimension we experience the Holy Spirit enabling and empowering godly behavior.