Focus on Christ
"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends." (2 Corinthians 10:17-18)
Nothing we do is of our own accord. Any talents or gifts we use is to the benefit of God's glory.
Pseudo Worship
“Because this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips honor Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the command of men; therefore, behold, I will go on doing among this people, a wonder, even a wonder. For the wisdom of their wise ones shall perish, and the understanding of their intelligent ones shall be hidden.” Isaiah 29: 13, 14 (MKJV)
Holding Out on God
“Now, ‘the Just shall live by faith. But if he draws back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.’ But we are not of those withdrawing to destruction, but of those who believe to the preserving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:38, 39 (MKJV)
Faith is the foundation of having a true relationship with the Lord. With that being said, it is no wonder that the theme of so much of the Bible is faith. Every story of Biblical heroism is rooted in a central character’s deeply committed faith in God—or, at times, the lack thereof. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is completely impossible for us to please God. It is impossible for our lives to be acceptable to God or to bear His divine seal of approval.
No Provision
“Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in carousings and drinking; not in co-habitation and lustful acts; not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not take thought beforehand for the lusts of the flesh.” Romans 13:13, 14 (MKJV)
Living life as a follower of Christ is often referred to as “walking with God.” In Romans 13, Paul declares that it is time for all followers of Christ awaken from their state of slumber, for the culmination of our salvation—the revealing of Jesus Christ at His second coming—is nearer than when we first believed. Night—the time when sleep is the common activity—is over.
But You Said, "No"
“For so says the Lord Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, In returning and rest you shall be saved; and in quietness and hope shall be your strength. And you were not willing. But you said, No; for we will flee on a horse. Therefore you shall flee. And you said, We will ride on the swift; therefore those who pursue you shall be swift.” Isaiah 30:15, 16 (MKJV)
One of the most difficult things to deal with is rejection—whether it’s over a business project, a thesis proposal, an entry for some competition, or especially when it is regarding a relationship, whether a rejection at the onset of asking a date, or a rejection at the proposal of marriage. Rejection is an integral part of the human experience. We hate to be rejected.
Imagine, for a moment, how God feels. God calls upon us to return to Him, to rest, and to be saved, offering quietness and hope as strength.