Gods Sabbath

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E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

The lessons David had experienced in his life until this point of time should have taught him the difference between the secu rity to be found in following God’s plans, and the dangerous fail ure to be expected when he trusted himself to be the plan mak er. Yet during the days spent as a fugitive in the Judean hills, David continued to mix these two procedures. At times he was unswerving in his loyalty to God, while at other times he turned to his own devices for deliverance. When any of us reflect on our past life, we will recognize that this same mixture has been present. Occasionally we have ac corded God His legitimate place as our Commander, but more of ten than not He has been relegated to the office of our Helper. Closer analysis should convincingly demonstrate to us that whenever our problems have been totally given to God, then, no matter how complex or threatening they were, He was able to solve them with a smoothness and efficiency that was most im pressive. Whereas, as was more often the case, when we as sumed the responsibility of problem solver ourselves, the troub le only increased and extended. Such a survey should convince God’s people that a change must take place. Instead of turning to God only sporadically, we need to learn to trust Him fully so that we cast every single care upon Him as our very first resort. Then, instead of experiencing deliverance only occasionally, it can be our happy condition all the time. We can then enjoy the privilege of entering into true Sabbath rest continually. As God’s dealings in our past life are recalled, we will be deep ly impressed with His character of love, for He is driven by an infinite compulsion to save to the utmost. Many people have the impression that God is waiting and watching to condemn, but such a view is based on an incorrect understanding of God’s character. While we are busy compounding our problems by tak ing matters into our own hands and expecting God to help us in this work of our own choosing, He is patiently waiting for the day when we will discern the foolishness of our ways and give Him the task of solving our problems for us. When God’s real character is seen, we are amazed and hum bled to find that our heavenly Father has no spirit of retaliation at all, but only an all-powerful desire to bless and restore. This