“If God wants people to like me, they will.” Wendy Backlund

“For we who have believed do enter that rest…” (Hebrews 4:3).

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His” (Hebrews 4:9-10).

“Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest…” (Hebrews 4:11).

I have listed Hebrews 4 as one of the seventeen most important chapters in the Bible (the others would be Galatians 1-6, Ephesians 1-3, Colossians 1-2, and Romans 4-8). I believe if we get these chapters deep in us, it will be the key for us to interpret the rest of the Bible in a healthy and accurate way. 

Hebrews 4 is the spiritual rest chapter. This rest is not necessarily a ceasing from activity (although the sabbath principle of resting is a good thing), but it is a mindset of trusting God which causes a deep peace. Inactivity alone without true spiritual rest from God results in trying to relax with a lack of peace. But those resting in the Father’s love and provision can even be experiencing deep peace and refreshment while being active and busy.

My wife, Wendy, has influenced me much to value spiritual rest. Unlike her, I tend to be driven to achieve and have a propensity to be a work-a-holic. (Let’s just laugh at that.) Her insights have helped me experience more godly rest. She has influenced me to develop these five beliefs to walk in Hebrews 4 spiritual rest:

1. The Favor Belief - Wendy says, “If God wants people to like me, they will.” In other words, whoever I am meant to have favor with, I will. Yes, there are things we can do to increase the likelihood of having favor (being honest, treating people well, being skilled, etc.), but ultimately we can rest in trusting God for what doors He wants to have open for us.
2. The Anointing Belief - When Wendy was struggling with being able to speak in front of others, she heard Bill Johnson say, “There is coming such a powerful revival that all you will need to say is ‘peanut butter’ and people will say, ‘What must I do to be saved?” Wendy thought, “I can say, ‘Peanut butter.” She realized her faith was not meant to be in the words she spoke, but in God’s ability to anoint what she said. That has freed her up greatly and given her rest in public speaking, in one-on-one conversations, and in counseling others.
3. The Peace Belief - “You have authority over any storm you can sleep in” - Bill Johnson. I love this quote, and it goes along with something Wendy says. “Peace  is one of our greatest weapons in prayer.” Before we pray about a situation, it is important to overcome fear and worry before actually praying about it. If you have 30-minutes for prayer, spend 25 minutes in worship, biblical meditation, magnifying the Lord, and praying in the Spirit so that you heart is at peace; then use the last five minutes to pray about the situation. 
4. The Mark 11:24 Belief - “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24). We first receive in our spirits the promises of God, answers to prayer, and our biblical identity before they manifest in our lives. What key area of your life have you already received the answer in your spirit? Why don’t you note the date you received it, and regularly declare, “On __________(date) I received ___________. I am excited to see it manifest in my life.” This will help you walk in spiritual rest concerning this aspect of your life. 
5. The “God is for Me” Belief - Wendy heard this from the Lord, “I don’t want to wait for you to be perfect before use you.” Look at the last two verses from Hebrews 4. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16). As we consider our personal weaknesses, we can have spiritual rest because we know God understands us and is providing grace and help to us. He is really for you. (This song will help convince you of that - The Blessing with Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes | Live From Elevation Ballantyne | Elevation Worship)

Thanks, Wendy, for helping us know how to be “diligent to enter that rest”.

One more thing - I have finished a book with Tracy Rice called Declare It. It has declarations for 96 different aspects of our lives. If you are looking for biblical truths and promises concerning challenges you have or dreams you want to experience, this book could be for you.