When we think of the word rest, some of us think of sleeping late, goofing around with friends or family, or doing nothing important. So we easily get confused when the Lord tells us to rest in Him.

What about the desires of our hearts? What about the important assignments He’s given us? Doesn’t He care about these things?

How do we rest in Him when we’re praying for our nation? How do we rest in Him when we can see the fear building in people’s lives—and “resting” seems like the last thing we should do?

Here are a few thoughts on resting in God in times of war.

1. Rest means ruling and subduing.

God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Gen. 1:28 NASB)

Genesis 1:28 is what resting in God looks like. That’s the order He gave humankind in the Garden of Eden before sin stepped in and messed everything up. So resting in God does not mean putting down your sword or letting go of His promises for you. Resting in God and standing powerfully on the earth are not opposites.

Journal time: If this first point about rest speaks to your heart, go sit with God and ask Him about it. What does He want you to know about resting in Him? What has He assigned to you? What is He saying to your heart right now?

2. Rest means giving God permission to do whatever he wants.

This is what the Lord says to you: “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s… You need not fight in this battle; take your position, stand and watch the salvation of the Lord in your behalf, Judah and Jerusalem.” Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow, go out to face them, for the Lord is with you. (2 Chron. 20:15, 17 NASB)

When we rest in the Lord, we allow God to do what He wants to do, both in our lives and in our nations. And what He wants to do will astonish us.

Journal time: What does the Lord want to do in your life? Ask Him and write down what He shows you.

3. Rest means remembering who God is.

Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph.
The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! (Ps. 118:15–16 NLT)

The hand of God has turned the tide! (v. 16 MSG)

We are the much-loved children of a God who is not acquainted with failure. His arm is strong, and we get to watch as He does glorious, amazing things that bring victory to His people. Even now, in whatever storm you are facing, His strong arm is raised in triumph.

Journal time: What’s your battle? Who is God in that battle?

He’s Greater Than Fear, Greater Than Hopelessness, Greater Than Lies

Bill and Sue Frisbie say that we were made to be fearless.

Across the United States, millions of people are dealing with fear. It is clogging their minds and inviting them to make unwise decisions.

But He is with us, and He is so much greater than any storm we may be facing right now. Greater than any fear. Greater than any sense of hopelessness or despair.

In this season, let’s hold tightly to the truth that God calls us fearless.

Be brave. Look at God your Father, and dare to believe what He is saying. This risk—the decision to trust the Lord no matter what—will always be worth it.

No more trembling. No more fearing the enemy of our souls. Let’s rest in God and stand strong.

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Resting in God in Times of War