Abiding in His Rest
Morris Ruddick
Abiding. His rest. Two dimensions; in essence, two vital realities that Scripture admonishes us to enter. Spiritual
safe-places. Not only to experience, but to embrace as the mode in our journeys as mature spiritual beings in navigating this world.
Never has there been a time in my adult fifty plus year walk with the Lord that these spiritual safe-places have been more relevant ….and essential to the spiritual equilibrium needed for the pathway forward.
I would add an accompanying dimension to the faith called-for ….to abiding in His rest while managing the way forward in these turbulent times: courage. No more fence-sitting. It’s the identity-thing, requisite to being a believer. It takes courage to be different. Being different is who we are. It takes courage and resolve to transcend the seen, to live in the realm of the unseen, to walk by faith.
For most of the years of my spiritual journey, I’ve aligned myself, prayed for and worked together with segments of the Body within the global spectrum who have been persecuted for their faith. For years I’ve been noting that the culture–war that has defined the challenges shaping their conditions-of-life is one that we, as believers in free societies, need to recognize and be prepared for. For the most part, we’re there.
Our culture has long been in the cross-hairs. The deep penetration of darkness being presented as the norm is shocking. The propaganda repositioning the acceptability in the rise of anti-Semitism and acts of lawlessness is shameful. Norms, values and standards are being defiled and perverted to the extent that our very culture is at risk of being hijacked.
The Contrast
Jesus warned of these developments, in pointing to the turbulence that would erupt in the time leading into the end. He described it as times-of-trouble. Daniel foresaw the stark contrast between these emerging dimensions of reality when “many would be purified and refined, but the wicked would do wickedly and none of the wicked would understand, BUT the wise would understand.” Isaiah similarly discerned this dramatic contrast when deep darkness would seek to cover the peoples, while the Light of the Lord would manifest, arising upon His people.
What this historic and prophetic context unveils is the need for more; a greater demonstration of God’s presence among His people to counter the dark forces infiltrating its ranks. So it has reached the point that the toxic nature of the spiritual atmosphere and its accompanying clamor are triggering the need ….for a LOT more.
That “more” is inherently found in these two dimensions, in these two responses to the realities attempting to overshadow the fading “norms of good” within free cultures: abiding and doing so in His rest.
The challenge parallels the response to ancient trajectories of dark cultures of death, with their ideologies and subtle infiltrations, now so overtly manifesting within the societies of the persecuted; and coming out of the closet in raising its ugly head in free societies.
So, this creeping contrast between cultures is nothing new. It is one that historically, has its roots deep in ancient times; the reality that the Lord long ago cautioned His people to face directly. And an awakening within our society is underway, gaining momentum.
The principles outlined in the Torah represent the guardrails needed for a society of God’s people to live ….and thrive within the confines of His protection and direction. These principles can benefit a genuinely righteous society by the impact it has on communities and cultures of darkness ….with the fear of God. It’s the baseline protection the people of God have resulting from His presence, when ….together ….. they get the identity-thing right, of abiding in His rest.
Again, abiding in His rest pivots on the commitment to the identity-thing. When the conflict and controversy increase, so will the faith needed for the committed to take their stand.
The Impact of Being Forerunners
So it is that the issue points to the leadership required of forerunners, of being change-artists. It involves a cost for those who establish, perhaps more often reestablish the standard. Again, the courage to be different is a requisite; even more so in raising the banner.
Many are called, but few are chosen. There’s a reason Jesus made this observation. Over the course of the history of God’s people, the challenge and chink in the armor for God’s people ….which historically deeply impacted those embracing the New Covenant …..has been in the natural tendency of wanting to be like everyone else.
Which ties back to the foundational identity-thing. Becoming a believer is the result of recognizing and touching a
reality. It’s a reality that transcends the natural order of things; a reality where God consistently abides. A reality that is a direct affront to the gatekeepers of darkness. So, being different, being a forerunner in raising the banner represents far, far more than just living by higher moral standards, although it is certainly that.
Believing in God and in these realities of God’s domain and the restoration obtained in the salvation made available by Jesus transforms the one believing. It represents an adjustment of their perception of reality, but with it, the way they think and process the realities around them. It represents a serious adjustment to who they are and their purpose in the overall scheme of things ….and a reset in the trajectory of their lives.
Maintaining this identity, purpose and trajectory is both the result and strategy of abiding in His rest.
The Cost of Serving as a Society of Leaders
What the Lord imparted with His chosen, through Moses’ impartation of the Torah, were the principles needed to become a society of leaders.
To be anchors and purveyors of Life in a world dominated by cults of death. In short, to be blessed, to be a blessing. To be the reflectors of the reset needed for true living. To live in community-relationship in such a way, that the Presence is a conscious manifestation. Being God’s chosen embraces a responsibility for influence ….serving as a Light in the darkness …. within one’s own sphere, yet simultaneously influencing surrounding societies.
THAT represents the interactive foundation for the community dynamic seen in this example of leadership. Jesus explained Kingdom leadership as service. It is an anointing. It reflects the exercise of authority as sheep among wolves ….to be change-artists through serving. To be bearers of His Presence without apology or in being intimidated.
So, abiding in His rest is both the strategy and the goal. It is the same whether the context is a spiritual atmosphere of serious persecution, one of freedom or one in which the conflict is challenging the cultural norms.
The cost begins by maintaining the discipline and the resolution to abide in His rest. There’s more. The impact of the pathway of this journey results in serving as leadership anchors in restoring the balance to the spiritual atmosphere, which both draws from and triggers His Presence, enhancing the enablement of that place of abiding in His rest.
So, both the path to this goal and its execution experiences exponential-increase of spiritual authority through abiding in His Presence, abiding in His rest. It is the trickle-down manifestation of the anointing for leadership. It is the gateway into the narrow path to being entrusted with His power.
The Long-Term Goal of Restoration
What the Lord established through what He outlined on Sinai was the basis for the restoration that began following the time of the Fall in the Garden: a people, albeit the most unlikely according to scripture, who would serve this purpose as a society of leaders.
Interestingly, it was to Jewish believers, forerunners of our faith in the book of Hebrews that the admonishment was written to press into maturity, to get beyond the basics to move the needle of restoration that the great cloud of witnesses from time-eternal are even now witnessing and encouraging ….as it comes into place. Again, it is both the strategy and the goal. It pivots on abiding in His Presence, His rest.
More than any other time I can remember in the days of my own journey, we are in a time when such ripples of
influence are making a difference, again pointing to and triggering the encouragement of that great cloud of witnesses. Indeed, it was not for nothing that the writer of Hebrews so strongly advised it being time to push beyond the basics with the spiritual practices associated with the mature. The admonishment is to ACT in creating the ripples that reflect being carriers of His Presence.
Getting beyond the boundaries and acting, will include “why don’t we just pray about it?” and “can I pray for you?” becoming prioritized and the natural inclination when interacting with other believers. Then this simple dynamic will soon shift into becoming the mode of opportunity when sharing with non-believers.
The Impact of Community-Faith and Prayer
The inclination can tend to overlook the impact of the simple things. Gathering and praying with other believers triggers His presence. That should be baseline: praying spontaneously together with and for others.
But the impact of this dynamic extends beyond the ordinary when those prayers are with and for non-believers. It penetrates the spiritual atmosphere, as well as making a difference for the ones being prayed for. When the foundation of prayer gatherings is active within the community, the overflow outside its boundaries will become the most natural ….and mature thing to manifest.
This was the model demonstrated through the consistent practices of Jesus ….as well being the hungry expectation of non-believers in the book of Acts, when in laying their beds out in the streets, that the authority from the mere shadow of Peter passing by would bring healing.
Going Beyond
It’s in the “going beyond,” arising with the authority to impart the anointing of His Presence that the trigger is actuated most profoundly, as the leadership-extended touches and influences the world. It is not unlike Joseph’s and Daniel’s prophetic impartations, so dramatically influencing Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar
One of the examples we encountered in a land of persecution took place in a remote Russian city, with a young, growing congregation that boldly sought to purchase a palace once occupied by Lenin and his inner circle. Their goal was to turn it into a community center. The Jewish community has long learned the value of community centers.
Their almost brash request created a stir among the authorities, many of whom sought to clamp down on the bold intentions of these fearless believers, until ….an older, wiser and more senior official stepped in with the advice: “Give the Christians whatever they want. They are doing so much good.”
This young, praying congregation was touching the community in ways the government had not been able. They were feeding the poor. They had a drug rehab program that transformed the lives of those who had been vagrants and criminals. They sent their people into the city’s prison, changing the lives of offenders who emerged as productive citizens. Praying together with these people was central to what they ministered.
Amazingly, the request to purchase the palace was approved …..creating a central site to administer their community services and extending the impact they were making on the community. So, it was my joy to impart my God’s economy program in that palace in an auditorium that once hosted Lenin and his inner staff.
Jesus said, “If you will abide in Me and my words abide in you, you will ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” It’s about living in His Presence and the impact that results from being carriers of His Presence.
The sequence in Matthew 10 and 11 captures this dynamic of the combined result and strategy from abiding in His rest, abiding in His Presence in the face of wickedness and impossible opposition.
To the band of twelve that Jesus chose and sent out, their assignment began with Him giving them authority over the
dark spirits they would encounter. He told them to give focus to proclaiming the Kingdom of God; and to heal the sick.
In sending them out, He instructed them to discern where they would stay; then to impart His peace, His presence in the abodes of their hosts. He warned them of persecution, division and hate, indicating they would be going out as sheep among wolves. Even when faced with family betrayals, He admonished them to stay the course, to fear God, rather than giving heed to the fear of man.
As if to punctuate the reality of these seriously difficult instructions, there came the word that John the Baptist had been imprisoned. So, within the context of His “sending” instructions, Jesus described the stature and role of John as a forerunner, as being the greatest in the role he served in the Kingdom …. as Jesus had described the flashpoints to be expected, underscoring the need of abiding, when planting and imparting the power and atmosphere of the Kingdom: “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.”
In conclusion, the atmosphere to be penetrated hasn’t changed. Nor has the challenge. The encouragement comes from that great cloud of witnesses. It transcends the times and nourishes the transitions of the generations. The Psalmist (Ps 24) presciently proclaimed: “THIS is the generation.” The MORE that is required and now underway is manifesting as the current generation arises, embraces its place of authority through abiding in His rest ….and ACTS.
“And it will be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, Remove every obstacle from the way of My people.” Isaiah 57:15
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Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner of the Joseph-calling and God’s economy message, being an international voice for the higher dimensions of spiritual game-changers and intercessors since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation, the Strategic Intercession Global Network [SIGN] and designer of the God’s Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program and the Jewish Business Secrets YouTube series, Mr. Ruddick’s messages equip leaders and economic community builders with strategy where God’s light is dim in diverse regions around the globe.
He is author of “The Joseph-Daniel Calling;” “Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;” “The Heart of a King;” “Something More;” “Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;” “Leadership by Anointing;” and “Mantle of Fire,” which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders with destinies to impact their communities. They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.com, www.apple.com/ibooks and www.BarnesandNoble.com.
Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts mobilize economic community builders imparting influence and the blessings of God. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to 3838 South Wabash Street, Denver CO 80237 or by credit card at https://strategic-initiatives.org/donate/
2025 Copyright Morris Ruddick — info@strategic-initiatives.org
Since early 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For more information go to https://strategic-initiatives.org
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