Text:  1 Chronicles 22:9
Title:  "Christ, the Man of Rest"
Subj:  Rest in Christ
Devotional message

 Intro: Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.  I would like to spend these few minutes considering, "Christ, the Man of Rest."  If there is anything the troubled soul needs, it is rest in Christ.

    __________________, like the rest of the world, is populated by three basic types of people.  First,  are the saints of God who have learned to rest in Christ.  Second, are the troubled saints of God who never seem to reach total rest.  And third, are those who have yet to discover the rest to be found in Jesus Christ.  Which one are you today?  Are you at complete peace, or are you fearful, nervous, and at war within?  If the second my friend, you need rest!

    There is an interesting verse in the O.T. book of 1 Chron. 22:9.  It says, "Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon (peaceful), and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days."  Notice that God's promise in this verse is not rest, but "a son which shall be born; He shall be a man of rest--and there shall be peace--and quietness--in His days."  Though this speaks of king Solomon, we know it prophesied of a Man-of-rest yet to come.

     Let's move ahead in the Scriptures to Ps. 37:7  "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him..."  Here is an O.T. command to rest; to trust the Lord until He fully reveals Himself as the Man-of-rest.  God's promise to reveal Himself to His people has always been a cornerstone of hope.

       Let's continue ahead to Isa. 11:10.  "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious."  Now the picture of the Man-of-rest is getting clearer. In the day that God will choose, One will arise from the bloodline of Jesse (father of king David) to the position of a prominence around which the peoples of the world will seek.  And what are they seeking?  They are seeking what only one Man can give--rest!  And His rest shall be glorious!  What a promise to every man or women, and boy or girl seeking rest and peace!

      We now move forward to the N.T., where Matt. says, "a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us" (1:23).  Here is the fulfillment of 1 Chr. 22:9, Ps. 37:7, and Isa. 11:10.  And so we have the birth of the Man-of-rest just like God promised, and His name is Jesus Christ, who is, "God with us."  God always keeps His promises, and He promised a Man-of-rest!

     So now we have the Man-of-rest, but how can you get the rest you need and desire?  Let's continue on our journey to Matt. 11:28-29, where the Lord Jesus Christ calls to all; " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Here we have the Man-of-rest making an offer of rest and rejuvenation to all that will come to Him.  Christian friend, you will be troubled in direct proportion to your distance or backsliding from Christ.  Christ speaks to you, "Come unto Me," "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls".  Note the steps to getting back to the rest and peace promised in Christ.  First, let Christ help bear your burden ("take My yoke upon you"), while you get back in the yoke of serving Christ!  Second, seek Christ ("learn of Me") early and seek Christ in the night, for only He can meet your needs.  Third, become ever more like Christ; "meek and humble," and you shall find rest.  

     Sinner, you can have rest too, but you must repent of your sins, and put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Saviour.  You can come just as you are, only admitting that you are a sinner, that you have offended a holy God, and that you need and want a Saviour.  Christ has promised to receive every sinner, just like you, and to give you rest.

     The last word on rest is given to us in Heb. 4:9, "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."  This verse gives two sides of the same truth.  To those that fully trust and serve Christ in this life, there is a continual rest for the child of God.   And for all those who receive Christ in this life, there is an eternal rest to come.  But for those that reject Christ, there is no rest nor peace, either in this life or in the life to come.

      Don't you want rest?  Then you need the Man-of-rest!  The only real rest is found in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of your life.  Sinner, will you come to Him today?  Saint, will you return to your first love, and get things right with your Lord--today?

"Rest" = the place or state of rest. (man of rest)

"Rest" = security (give him rest)