What does the Bible say about faith being our resting place?
Faith is an essential element of our spiritual lives. It is both the foundation and foundation of our relationship with God and should be held in high esteem. Faith can be both a resting place and an anchor for the soul in difficult times. In the Bible, God speaks to us about faith often, encouraging us to trust Him fully and to rely on Him when times get tough. He exhorts us to find our hope and strength in Him and warns against the dangers of self-reliance and unfaithfulness.
The Bible is full of scriptures about faith and speaks of it as a powerful and supernatural weapon that can help us overcome our troubles and rest in God (Romans 10:17). Part of this reliance is using faith to trust the Lord (Hebrews 11:6). Unlike worldly solutions, faith in the Lord’s plan is never in vain, and He is always faithful and able to provide us with all we need. Isaiah 28:16 speaks of Jesus as being our solid foundation and encourages us to turn from self-reliance and put our trust in him.
Having faith allows us to experience a deep and abiding peace in all circumstances which leads us to rest in the Lord. This peace surpasses all understanding and helps us to stay firm amid adversity (Philippians 4:7). Romans 5:1-2 tells us that faith gives us access to the hope of grace and glory that comes through the Lord. This same grace and glory also helps us to stay still even when life feels chaotic and confusing.
The Bible enjoins us to be steadfast in faith and persevere during times of trouble (Hebrews 10:39). James 1:2-3 tells us to be joyous in our faith and to look with hope to the Lord as He provides us with the grace to make it through difficult times. Psalm 37:5 says that we should trust in the Lord and rely on Him to give us the strength to keep going.
The Bible is clear about us relying on faith as our resting place. 1 Peter 5:7 encourages us to cast all our anxieties and worries on the Lord, doing so with faith and trust. God is always ready to receive and hear us when we call on His name. Psalm 62:8 encourages us to be still and let the Lord give us strength, the source of which comes only through faith.
The Word of God beckons us to turn away from self-reliance and trust in Him for everything, for He is the one Source of life and hope (Jeremiah 17:7). The scripture also instructs us to be confident in His promises and hold firmly to our faith in Him, and He will never let us down (Mark 11:22-24).
A Journey of Faith
The Bible speaks of our dependence on faith and trusting in God’s goodness and mercies, and how it can lead us to a place of rest. Faith is a journey that begins when we humbly accept our need for a savior and turn to Jesus. We must build our faith on His Word, trusting in His promises and His unfailing love for us. As we mature in our faith, we can hold more firmly to our hope, knowing that the Lord has all things in His power and His plans cannot be thwarted (Isaiah 14:24).
The Promises of Faith
The Lord’s promises to us always come with a condition: faith. We must believe in Him and His Word before He will act on our behalf. Joseph made a profound statement when he said, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20). God often uses the faith of His children to bring about positive change in their circumstances.
Trusting in God and His promises will free us from fear and doubts and give us lasting peace. When we put our faith in Him, our life is a testimony of His promises and He is glorified and exalted. As Proverbs 3:5-6 tell us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
The Bible speaks to us with assurance and strength, inspiring us to have faith in the Lord and trust in His plans. When we take refuge in Him, He will sustain us and protect us from our enemies. He knows our night and our day, and He will bring us through whatever He has promised us.
Discouragement and Faith
Discouragement and discouragement can be discouraging and impede our efforts to live out our faith. But the Bible is full of promises that encourage us to continue trusting in the Lord’s plans, even in the midst of trials. Deuteronomy 31:8 states, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Romans 15:13 speaks of how we can have hope and peace directly through relying on faith. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” God is the ultimate source of our hope and joy, and this relationship is one that begins with faith and trust in Him and His promises.
Apart from the stability that comes from faith, and even from growth in faith, our security and safety come through the assurance that the Lord is our Shield and Defender. In Psalm 28:7 we read that “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.” No matter our circumstances, God is ready to step in and lift us up when we put our trust in Him.
The Benefits of Faith
Faith brings us many benefits to our physical and spiritual lives. When our faith is placed in the Lord’s hands, He blesses us with His grace and His peace. We receive assurance and strength, courage and hope, all through believing in Him and His Word. Through prayer and meditation, we grow in our trust in the Lord and rest more fully in His promises.
Having faith also gives us full access to the Lord’s promises and protection. We can calmly and confidently live our lives, knowing that His plans for us are good and His power is made perfect in weakness. No matter how discouraging the situation may seem, faith in the Lord will never let us down – Job 11:18 tells us that “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.”
Furthermore, faith allows us to see the world differently. In Ecclesiastes 11:1, the Word encourages us to, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.” That means with faith, we can throw out our trust in the Lord and watch in wonder as He works. We can see things that the natural eye cannot and gain a glimpse of God’s perfect plan unfolding in our lives.
Forgiveness and Faith
Unforgiveness can be a great barrier to finding our resting place in faith. Its effects can be weighing and debilitating, preventing us from taking joy and peace in our relationship with God. It can also prevent us from trusting in the Lord and His promises. Thankfully, the Lord is a God of mercy, and He calls us to forgive in order to better reflect His love and grace.
The Bible encourages us to leave our past in the hand of the Lord, and to embrace again the promises in His Word. Even when it’s hard, or it seems impossible, we can rely on His grace and mercy to fill us with strength and courage. In Luke 21:19 we read, “By your endurance you will gain your souls.” We can trust that as we practice forgiveness, the Lord will give us the power to rest in Him and overcome our struggles.
The Bible calls us to be brave and never give up on our faith. We can face any hardship, opposition, or difficulty with assurance that the Lord will fight for us and bring us out stronger. Despite the distractions of the world, God wants us to choose trust and turn to Him. He wants us to make faith our resting place, our secure lodgings no one can take away.
A husband of one wife, father of two beautiful girls, laborer of Lord, Jesus Christ, and a servant to God’s His saints. I hope to encourage you by God’s grace. Thank you for stopping by.
