Pastor Chisom Nwankwo
Sun 5th Nov, 2023
1Kgs.5.4 - But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence.

Matt.11.28 - Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Rest is state of cessation of struggle, not lack of activity. Activities are carried out with ease. Even when the undesired occurs, the fortitude to bear it is given.
It means peace of mind. Not rest from work nut rest in work (depending on God's grace). It is God's promise to every child of God.

1Kgs.8.56 - "Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses.

Causes of Unrest
1. Wars
2. Adversaries
3. Evil occurrences (satanically engineered, natural disasters, soul-burden (mind, emotion, will).

Dimensions of Rest
1. Spiritual (rest from sin, demonic operations.
2. Physical (health, finance, education, family).
3. Personal, family, church, community, nation.

Tips For Rest On Every Side
1. God (Word, Prayer)
2. Wisdom, Knowledge and Undersyanding.
3. Humility and Righteousness.

Wisdom to know what we cannot change. Wisdom for academics, to study and understand and be prepared as we ought to.

There is a time line for rest. Ecclesiastical 3
Before the rest, there is a time to fight.
Solomon experoenced rest because David had fought. Before Jehoshaphat found rest on all sides, God had fought for them.

There is a time to sow and time to harvest.
Time to study and then time to rest.
For businessmenTime for diligent and faithful and hardworking. And time for rest.
For young, use the strength to fight now.
For elders, God is a God of second chance, we should not lose hope.
Our nation needs rest through advocacy, though social responsibilities to give our nation rest. We should not leave it to politicians. We should speak against evil and continue to pray.

2Chr.20.29 - And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.
2Chr.20.30 - Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.

Conclusion
Since the fall of Adam, man became restless.contrary to God's plan.
The ultimate rest is in eternity with God, the blessed hope of the believer. No one should miss this blessed promise.

The desire to rest on earth has made many compromise and jeopardise their eternal rest. God in His Mercy continues to intervene to restore man into His rest through Christ.
Let's be careful and have the overall perspective of our eternal rest in Christ Jesus.