Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. 2 Chron. 14:7
During the time of rest, it is common for people to relax and enjoy their luxuries. Some go for holidays and others pass their time playing games, while others prefer to have outings of different sorts. All these things are done to occupy a time of physical rest and they minister to the body. However, whereas these things are good for the healthy keeping of the body, they do very little for our spirit man.
A rest is characterised by an end of pursuing, a break or arrival to a settlement. As there is a “physical rest”, there is equally a "spiritual rest" in which your spirit man is at peace. That rest is in Christ Jesus. A man in Christ is a man in God’s rest. He is a man, whose search is over as he has arrived at a place of all things. All that is required of him is to know and embrace the enormity of blessings in Christ.
Spiritual rest is experienced by embracing the finished work of Jesus Christ who has provided all spiritual things a person requires. When we believe and affirm to ourselves the truth of what Christ has done for us and teach our hearts to uphold that truth, we build our spirit man in the spiritual rest in Christ. That affirmation comes from learning God’s word to know and experience God’s rest. When we have our physical rest, we must use it to build our conviction of what Christ has done for us by acquiring more knowledge of God’s word.
In the opening scripture, King Asa of Judah shows us how to use our spiritual rest. During the rest of the land, King Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord. He used the time of rest to inspire restoration in the land by breaking down all the images of strange gods, to turn the hearts of the people back to God. He built up fenced cities to protect himself and the people from the attack of the enemies. By building fenced cities, he developed the land and God prospered the people. He did that which attracted the favour of the Lord to come upon the land
Similarly, you ought to use your spiritual rest in Christ to build your spirit man from the attacks of the enemy. Get rid of everything that affects your relationship with God, like teachings that reduce your confidence in God. Get to learn the power at work in you. Your hobbies cannot defend you against the devil when he attacks, but the word of God in you will defend you against his devices. Instead of unnecessary window-shopping trips, attend your church regularly to be built up in your faith by the preaching of God’s word.
Use your time to edify yourself in whatever is lacking in your faith. If it is patience, read about it. If it is fear, learn how to avoid it. Use your rest to buildup your spirit man against the attacks of the enemy. You alone know your weaknesses; learn how to outgrow them in Christ Jesus. Whatever you do, do not neglect to use your rest time to build yourself up.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that in my time of rest, I am dedicated to building up my spirit man to receive an understanding of your word. Fill me with the revelations in your word. I pray Your purposes are fulfilled in my life that I may be found pleasing in your sight. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.