Way of Rest - 5

Dearly beloved,
 Greetings to you in the Name of our Lord Jesus. As we continue with our series on The Way of Rest, we wish to remind you that your questions and comments are welcome. In fact, at some point, we are likely to circulate the feedback we receive, for the overall benefit of all. Whenever we do this, you can be sure we will handle it with utmost discretion. As for those who have already mailed us, God bless you.
 When you send mail, you are free to indicate whether or not you want your mail (or any part thereof) circulated. God bless you all. Amen
THE WAY OF REST (5)
 God Our Refuge
The Bible describes God as our refuge (Psa. 46:1,48:3, Isa. 25:4). This implies that the world is a place of storms, danger and trouble. Since "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble", we need not fear, not even when the earth is removed from under our feet; not even when the mountains are carried into the midst of the sea. The implication is that, no matter how intense the storms of life may be, we need not fear. The Lord says: "Be still and know that I am God" (see Psa. 46:1-10).
 A study of Mark 4:35-41 will reveal some helpful insights: "And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there was also with Him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him and say unto Him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?"
The implications of this passage are as follows:
 *Storms are not an indication that God has left you. Jesus was in the boat, but that did not stop the storm from coming.
*Storms are NOT ALWAYS an indication that you are out of God’s will. The disciples were in that boat in obedience to a specific instruction of their Master:
"Let us pass over unto the other side".
*Anytime your faith is low, fear will overwhelm you.
*The storm within a man is usually more deadly than the storm without. In much the same way, the enemy within is more deadly than the enemy without. The disciples were incapacitated, not by the storm without, but by the storm (of fear) within them. As a result, they lost control and became ineffective.
 The ideal attitude of a believer in Christ to the storms of life is well captured in Isaiah 8:11-13: "For the LORD spake to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the LORD of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread." Let us examine the implications of this passage:
 *When you walk in the way of "this people" (the way of the heathen or unbelievers, which was being adopted by God’s people), you will necessarily fear what they fear.
*Unbelievers, along with compromising believers, have their fear. In the same way, we (committed Christians) have our fear, namely the fear of the LORD.
*Their fear consists of worries about provision, protection, the future, and so on. Our fear revolves around the LORD and how we may please Him. This does not make us irresponsible. The difference is that we have learnt how to cast our cares upon Him.  
*In practical terms, we do not get there in one day. The level of rest we enjoy is equal to the level of understanding we attain in God. This leads to consider the instruments by which a man may lay hold on the rest of God.