“In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever; Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river.” This is the lyrics of the hymn “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross,” written by Fanny Crosby expressing the hope of finding eternal peace and glory in heaven after our sojourn on Earth, often symbolised as crossing a river. It signifies the ultimate eternal spiritual rest with Jesus and reward found through faith and belief in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
There is a special kind of rest that God has provided for His people. But the afterlife, everlasting and peaceful rest is for kingdom labourers. You don’t need rest if you have not laboured for the advancement of God’s redemptive plan and divine purpose on earth. You are not worthy of rest if you have been lukewarm, lazy, idle, sluggish and sluggard. Rest is for the true, sincere and wholehearted labourers in God’s vineyard.
The book of Hebrews instructs believers to “make every effort to enter that rest”. This means actively pursuing a life of faith and obedience, avoiding the “unbelief” that kept the Israelites from entering into the promised land of rest. The “labour” is the diligence required to trust God fully and consistently, not a labour of works to earn salvation.
The questions I want us to ask ourselves are: what are you doing for the Lord? How are you doing it, with zeal, fervency, lukewarm or care-free attitude as if you are being forced or you are doing God a favour? Why are you doing it? For God looks beyond our outward appearances, religiousity, spiritual gymnastics to understand a person’s true motives, thoughts, and desires, not just their actions. Pro 21:2 says, “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart”. 1 Sam 16:7: “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart”. 1 Chr 28:9: “The LORD searches all hearts and understands every intent of the thoughts”. Jer 17:10: “I, the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
This year 2026 affords you another opportunity to prove yourself and put your best into the Master’s work. Remember that Jesus Himself set the example when He said, “my work is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.” Paul finished his, l will finish mine, by His grace and mercy. How about you? May God help you to finish well and strong. It is when you finish well that you will have and enjoy your rest everlasting. May you and I finish well and strong, in Jesus’ name.
Shalom!
