Finding All-Around Rest Through Surrender and Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Come to Jesus for True Rest

Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising rest that refreshes the soul and brings deliverance. This rest is not found in self-sufficiency or striving, but in humbly acknowledging our need for Him and surrendering our burdens into His hands. When you come to Jesus with a heart that recognizes its own limitations and deep need, He specializes in lifting your burdens and granting you peace that the world cannot give. Let your attitude be one of humility and dependence, and you will find the rest your soul longs for. [34:09]

Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV)
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Reflection: What is one burden you are still holding onto instead of surrendering to Jesus? Can you name it and prayerfully hand it over to Him today?

Day 2: Take Possession of God’s Promises

God is a faithful promise keeper who desires that His children not only receive His promises but also actively take possession of them. Just as Israel had to step forward and claim the land God had sworn to give them, so must you lay hold of the blessings, healing, and breakthroughs God has made available to you. Don’t let fear, ignorance, or passivity keep you from enjoying what is rightfully yours in Christ. Stand in faith, declare God’s promises over your life, and take possession of every blessing He has spoken over you. [41:25]

Joshua 21:43-45 (ESV)
"Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass."

Reflection: What is one promise of God you have not yet claimed or acted upon? How can you take a step of faith to possess it today?

Day 3: Humility and Meekness Bring Rest

A humble and gentle heart is essential for experiencing all-around rest. Pride and arrogance create confusion and unrest, but when you come to God with meekness, ready to learn and yield to His ways, you open the door to renewal and spiritual revival. True rest is found in learning from Jesus, imitating His humility, and allowing Him to renew your spirit daily. Ask God to revive you and cultivate a spirit of humility that welcomes His rest into every area of your life. [37:12]

Matthew 11:29 (ESV)
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense pride or self-reliance is hindering your peace? How can you practice humility and openness to God’s leading today?

Day 4: Kingdom-Mindedness and Love for God

Those who put God’s interests first and have a heart for His kingdom experience rest on every side. David and Solomon enjoyed all-around rest because they were committed to advancing God’s purposes, serving with gratitude, and loving God deeply. When you seek to build God’s house, serve others, and let your actions reflect your love for Him, God ensures that things work out favorably for you. Let your life be marked by a desire to see God’s kingdom flourish, and you will find rest and favor in every area. [51:41]

2 Samuel 7:1-3 (ESV)
"Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, 'See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.' And Nathan said to the king, 'Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.'"

Reflection: What is one practical way you can serve God’s kingdom or show love for God this week, even in a small way?

Day 5: Seek God Consistently for Lasting Peace

Consistent seeking of God through prayer, fasting, and obedience brings lasting peace and rest on every side. The examples of Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Asa show that when God’s people earnestly seek Him, He intervenes, defeats their enemies, and grants them peace to build and prosper. Stay consistent in your relationship with God, seek Him in every situation, and let your ways please Him—He will make even your enemies to be at peace with you. [01:14:54]

2 Chronicles 14:6-7 (ESV)
"He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest. He had no war in those years, for the Lord gave him peace. And he said to Judah, 'Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God. We have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side.' So they built and prospered."

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek God’s guidance and presence in a specific area of your life today, trusting Him to bring peace and rest?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to honor and worship the Lord, recognizing that He alone is worthy of all praise and glory. We acknowledged God as our rock, our salvation, and the lifter of our heads, and we prayed for healing and wholeness for all who are sick or burdened. The central focus was on the promise and reality of “all around rest”—rest on every side, in every area of our lives, even in the midst of life’s battles and challenges. This rest is not merely the absence of trouble, but a deep, God-given peace and renewal that comes from a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

The journey to all around rest begins with coming to Jesus in humility, recognizing our need for Him and surrendering our burdens. Jesus invites all who are weary and heavy-laden to come to Him, promising rest for our souls. This rest is not self-generated; it is a gift from Christ, who specializes in lifting our burdens and refreshing our spirits. We are called to learn from Him, to embrace meekness and humility, and to allow spiritual renewal to take root in our hearts.

Scripture shows us that God is a promise keeper. Just as He gave Israel the land He promised and rest on every side, so too does He desire to fulfill His promises in our lives. However, we must take possession of what God has made available—healing, breakthrough, peace—by faith and with a determined spirit. Rest comes when we step into what God has already provided, refusing to let the enemy steal our inheritance.

A key to enjoying all around rest is having a heart that seeks God’s interests above our own. David’s desire to build a house for the Lord, even when he was already at rest, revealed a kingdom-mindedness that God honored. When we put God first, serve His purposes, and love Him genuinely—not just in word but in action—He grants us rest and peace that extends even to our children and future generations.

We also see that fasting, prayer, and seeking God’s face are powerful ways to provoke divine intervention and rest. When we let God fight our battles, when we humble ourselves and remain consistent in our walk with Him, He brings peace, silences our adversaries, and enables us to build and prosper. Ultimately, when our ways please the Lord, even our enemies are at peace with us. May we be seekers of God, builders of people, and possessors of His promises, so that we and our families may enjoy all around rest.

Key Takeaways

1. True Rest Begins with Surrender and Humility All around rest is found when we come to Jesus, not in self-sufficiency, but in honest recognition of our need. Humility opens the door for Christ to lift our burdens and refresh our souls. Pride and self-reliance block the flow of God’s rest, but surrendering control allows Him to take over and bring peace in every area of life. [32:31]
2. Possessing God’s Promises Requires Active Faith God’s promises are sure, but they must be possessed. Like Israel, we are called to take hold of what God has given—healing, provision, peace—by faith and determination. Passivity or ignorance can leave us outside of our inheritance, but when we step forward in faith, we settle into the rest God has prepared for us. [40:04]
3. Kingdom-Mindedness Unlocks Lasting Peace A heart that seeks God’s interests, serves His purposes, and advances His kingdom attracts divine favor and rest. David’s desire to build for God, even after receiving rest, shows that prioritizing God’s house and people leads to blessings that endure. Our motives and actions toward God’s work matter deeply in experiencing all around rest. [50:10]
4. Generational Rest Comes Through Spiritual Breakthrough When God grants us rest, it is not just for ourselves but for our children and generations to come. The battles we win in prayer, faith, and obedience can break cycles of struggle, ensuring that our descendants inherit peace instead of warfare. Our spiritual victories today can become the foundation of rest for our families tomorrow. [59:41]
5. Consistent Seeking and Building Lead to Prosperity and Peace Rest is sustained by a lifestyle of seeking God, building up others, and remaining obedient to His word. Fasting, prayer, and a commitment to build—whether people or God’s work—invite God’s presence and prosperity. When our ways please the Lord, He makes even our enemies to be at peace with us, and we prosper in all we do. [74:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[25:11] - Praise and Thanksgiving
[26:01] - Testimonies and Prayer for the Sick
[32:31] - The Invitation to Rest in Jesus
[35:25] - Surrendering Burdens to Christ
[37:12] - The Power of Humility and Renewal
[39:05] - God’s Promises and Taking Possession
[41:25] - Rest on Every Side: Israel’s Example
[45:53] - Authority Over Enemies
[49:42] - David’s Kingdom-Minded Heart
[53:38] - Building for God and Generational Blessing
[57:04] - The Proof of Loving God
[59:41] - Generational Rest: Solomon’s Testimony
[62:32] - Jehoshaphat: Fasting, Prayer, and Rest
[66:50] - Hezekiah: Letting God Fight Your Battles
[69:39] - The Danger of Pride and the Need for Consistency
[71:54] - Asa: Building and Rest
[74:04] - Seeking God and Building People
[77:30] - Prayer for All Around Rest
[82:45] - Possessing Your Blessings
[85:46] - Thanksgiving and Closing Worship
[90:28] - Announcements and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 11:28-29 — “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

- Joshua 21:43-45
“So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”

- 2 Chronicles 20:30
“So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.”

Observation Questions

According to Matthew 11:28-29, what does Jesus promise to those who come to Him, and what attitude does He say we should have?
In Joshua 21:43-45, what did the Israelites have to do in order to experience rest on every side?
What actions did Jehoshaphat and the people take that led to God giving them rest all around, as seen in 2 Chronicles 20:30?
In the sermon, what was David’s response after God gave him rest on every side?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus connect rest for our souls with humility and learning from Him, rather than just the absence of trouble?
The Israelites had to “take possession” of what God had promised. What does this suggest about the relationship between God’s promises and our actions?
The sermon highlights that David, even after receiving rest, wanted to build a house for God. What does this reveal about the kind of heart that attracts lasting peace and favor from God?
How does the example of Jehoshaphat show the connection between seeking God through prayer and fasting and experiencing all around rest?

Application Questions

Jesus invites us to come to Him with our burdens and promises rest. Is there a specific burden or area of your life where you have been trying to handle things on your own instead of surrendering to Jesus? What would it look like to let Him “take over” this week?
The sermon emphasized that God’s promises must be “possessed” by faith and action. Is there a promise from God’s Word that you know about but have not actively claimed or stepped into? What is one step you can take to “possess” it this week?
David’s desire to build for God, even after receiving rest, showed a kingdom-minded heart. In your current season, what is one way you can put God’s interests or the needs of His people above your own comfort?
The message said that the battles we win in prayer and obedience can bring rest not just for us, but for future generations. Is there a struggle or pattern in your family that you want to see broken? How can you begin to pray or act differently to see a new legacy started?
Fasting, prayer, and seeking God’s face were highlighted as ways to provoke divine intervention and rest. When was the last time you set aside time to fast or pray specifically for God’s peace in your life or family? Would you consider doing this in the coming week?
The sermon warned about pride and encouraged humility as the key to rest. Are there areas where pride or self-reliance might be blocking God’s peace in your life? What is one practical way you can choose humility this week?
The message encouraged us to be “builders”—to build up others and God’s work. Who is one person you can encourage or help build up this week, and how will you do it?

Sermon Clips

If God wants you well, the devil cannot do anything about it. Praise the Lord. The message I'm sharing with us today I've titled it how to get all around rest. Amen. How to get all around rest or rest on every side. How to get all around rest. We all need all around rest. It means that every side that you turn you want to see some peace you want to have some rest. Amen. Because the life you know and especially the Christian journey is full of battles it's full of spiritual battles but we serve a God who is able to give us rest all around. Amen. [00:30:23]

It was for that reason that Jesus came. Jesus came so that we can have rest all around. Amen. Because many situations will come our way, many challenges will confront us, but we must always know that with God by our side, with God by our side, every storm will be calm, every mountain will be brought to low in the name of Jesus. [00:31:26]

So when you are cutting to the point in life where you realize that without God, I am nothing. I can do nothing without him. I truly need him. I truly need him to take care of my situation. Those are the kind of people Jesus is talking about here. So it says, come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden. That is, you have a heavy burden. So if you have a heavy burden, you are at the right place. You have come to the right man, Jesus. Amen. Because he is a specialist in taking care of your burden. He is a specialist in taking care of the situations that, you know, brings worry into your life. He says, and I will give you rest. [00:33:00]

So the first point, as I've noted already, is that if I need all around rest, I need to come to Jesus. Hallelujah. I need to come to Jesus. And once I come to Jesus, and I surrender to him, and I tell him, Lord Jesus, I couldn't do it by myself. That is why I have come. Take over. There are many things that are fighting me. I cannot fight. Take over. There are many things that are coming against me. I cannot handle it. Take over. There are many things that are troubling me. I don't know what to do. Take over. Praise the Lord. Take over. [00:34:57]

He says, take my yoke upon you, and learn of me. For I am meek and lowly in the heart. And ye shall find rest unto your souls. Hallelujah. So, another point that he gives here. Those who know how to get rest all around. Is what? Meekness. You come to him in humility. Amen. [00:36:13]

When pride and arrogance take the place of gentleness and humbleness, you always, you know, you always be confused. You always, you know, have issues to deal with. That's what happens. So, humble in heart and you will find what? Rest. Renewal. Rest means what? Renewal. Bless Christ for your souls. Amen. Renewal. Some of us need some renewal in our spirit. I need some renewal in my spirit. I believe you need some renewal in your spirit. Some revival. Father, revive me. Amen. Let revival start in me. Let revival begin in me. Let that be a spiritual renewal in every area of my life. All this ingredient helps you to have all round rest. Amen. [00:37:43]

So, the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers. God is a promise keeper. Tell somebody God is a promise keeper. Hallelujah. He said, so the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers. God, whatever God was sworn to give, he gave it. I pray that everything that God has promised you shall come to pass. In the name of Jesus. May every promise of God concerning your life come to pass. May you possess your possession. Nobody will take your possession away from you. In the mighty name of Jesus. [00:39:05]

So, what God has made available to you, you have to take possession of it. He says, and they do what? They took possession of it. God can give you something and you are not taking possession of it. And you are still there whining and murmuring and crying. The people took possession of what God has sworn to give their forefathers. They took possession. the healing is yours. Take possession of it. The job is yours. Take possession of it. Whatever it is that you are believing God for, that you know that God has promised you, take possession of it. [00:40:21]

The Lord gave them rest. on every side. You know when you take possession of what God has given you. You enjoy rest all around. Hallelujah. So sometimes we are not enjoying the rest because the fallen taken it by force. You are not taking it by force. You are not taking possession of what God has made available to you. And so you are still wondering as someone who is fatherless but you have a heavenly father who has promised you who never fails. Praise the Lord. And because they took possession the Lord gave them rest. All around. Amen. Rest on every side just as he had left. sworn to their forefathers. So it was also part of their promise. So rest on every side is part of God's promise to you that I must have rest. Amen. I must have rest in the name of Jesus. [00:42:05]

Not one of all their enemies not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed. Amen. Not one of God's good promises to the house of Israel failed. Which means every promise came to pass. Your promises will not fail. God's promises towards you will not fail in the name of Jesus. I said God's promise to you will not fail. If he brought you to this land he will settle you. His promise will not fail. You will possess this land. you will eat the good of this land in the name of Jesus. Just take your possession. [00:46:15]

You will get all around rest. If you. You know. If you put God and the things of God first. Because God is all knowing. He knows what is in your mind. He knows what is in your heart. So the prophet told him. Go and do whatever. Go and do all that is in your mind. God is with you. Amen. And God knows. So you must have the heart of service. You must have the heart. To want the kingdom of God to advance. If you are that type of person. God will give you all around rest. Because God sees. Into the future. He knows. Your heart. He knows your motive. [00:51:08]

You will enjoy all around rest. If you have the attitude to serve. If you have the mentality. To want God's kingdom to advance. Amen. If you want God's kingdom to advance. And then. If you really want God. You know. You really want the things of God. To progress well. Amen. You want the things of God to progress well. God will make sure. That things work out favorably for you. God will provide you everything that you need. Amen. [00:52:14]

So your kingdom mindedness. Who provoke God to give you rest all around. In the name of Jesus. So be kingdom minded. Amen. [00:53:22]

There again. You find the phrase. Rest on every side. What that means is that. You know. When you decide to do something for God. God will make sure you continue to enjoy rest. Amen. God will make sure you continue to enjoy rest. On all sides. Rest all round. In the mighty name of Jesus. [00:56:00]

So another thing that you need to have. To enjoy the rest. All round. Is your love for God. Amen. Your love for what? God. If you don't love God. You know somebody can come to church. Without necessarily loving God. Somebody can be going to church several years. And still not love God. And you can tell. By their attitude. By their actions. Towards other believers. And towards the church of God. So the fact that somebody appears. To you know be a Christian. And be coming to church all the time. May not necessarily mean that they love God. The lovers of God. You know. Your love for God is proven. Proven by your actions. Amen. By your interests. By the things. That you align yourself to. That will prove your love for God. [00:56:30]

What does that mean? What that means is that when God gives you rest, the battles that you have been fighting in your life, your children and your children's children will have a break from that fight. In the name of Jesus. So Solomon was saying that, my father did most of the fighting. That is why God told him, don't build. But now I can build. Even though David still has some peace, but he fought many wars at the same time. He fought many wars until finally God put his enemies under his foot and then he enjoyed some rest before he was called home. But Solomon just began enjoying that rest. I pray that your children and your children's children will not fight the battles. They will not fight the battles that you have been fighting. I pray that that battle in your family will end with you in the name of Jesus. [01:00:00]

If you are a seeker of the face of God, you will have rest all round. Amen. They have rest all round because they did what was right to get God's attention. So spiritually, you must do what is needful to get God's attention and God will give you rest all round. Amen. [01:03:34]

So fasting and prayer provokes God to give you rest on every side. Hallelujah. Rest on every side. They had rest on every side. [01:04:39]

What that means. If you let God take over the battle. You will enjoy rest all round. So that's another way. Don't try to do the battle yourself. Sometimes you will get where you will get tired. Just hold your peace. Hallelujah. And I will fight for you. The Lord will fight for you. And you will hold your peace. May God fight for you. As you hold your peace. In the name of Jesus. The Lord will fight for you. And you will hold your peace. In Jesus name. [01:07:38]

So there are times we should not be full of ourselves. We must know that apart from Him we are nothing. Jesus said, apart from me you can do nothing. Apart from me you can do nothing. So stay consistent in your relationship and fellowship with God. It is very important. if you want to enjoy all -round rest. Otherwise, thing that shouldn't be an issue can become an issue. And it can disturb your peace. May your peace not be disturbed. In the name of Jesus. [01:10:40]

If you are, if you don't have peace, you cannot do the things you want to do. You cannot make the progress you want to make. You cannot achieve the things you want to achieve. So that is why it is important that we have rest all round. Amen. [01:11:56]

Build people. Praise the Lord. Help to encourage people. Help to lift up people. Don't bring down people. Praise the Lord. Because that is what the kingdom work is all about. Build people up. Build your fellow brother, your fellow sister. Build them up. in this case you just build a wall. But I want to move it from just building physical structures to building things that will become a legacy. When you are not there you will be remembered for it. Amen. If I make an impact in your life when I am not there I will be remembered. It will become a testimony. Praise the Lord. Don't let people have bad testimonies about you. Let them have good testimonies about you. It is important. So decide to become a builder for the Lord. Amen. [01:12:38]

So to enjoy rest all around you must be you must seek the Lord in every situation. In any matter. Seek the Lord. Praise the Lord. and when you seek the Lord make sure that you are kind and you are kind. You may be you by the word of God. And I say so because there are people who genuinely may be seeking God outside of God's word. And you will have somebody give you guidance and it may be a wrong guidance. Amen. Because once God has given us his word, he's not going to give us any instruction that is against his word. It doesn't happen like that. That's why we need to know his word. [01:14:11]

When a man's way are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. Amen. If a man's way, not when a man's ways please the Lord, he makes his enemies to be at peace with him. May you enjoy peace. In the name of Jesus, be a seeker of God, be a disciple of Christ, be obedient to him, dedicate your life to serving him, and you will enjoy rest all around. Hallelujah. [01:15:59]

I don't know what you are going through, but the word is that God is ready to lift that burden. God is ready to break that yoke. God is ready to give you all around rest. I don't know about you, but I believe somebody need all around rest. Amen. Because if you have all around rest, you can sleep and sleep well. Wake up stronger and healthier. Amen. If you have all around rest, you know, you don't slide into depression, you don't get depressed. If you have all around rest, you know, you are always at peace. Praise the Lord. That's basically what that is. So I pray that truly, truly, we will experience all around rest. God, for some of us, we are tired. We are weary. We have been fighting all our life. This is time for God to give us all around rest. So I have come to you, Lord. Give me rest all around. [01:16:41]

Possess your possession. The Bible says that God promised them. And they possess it. So what are you, what do you need to possess? This is the time. Begin to speak and possess them. Maybe you need healing. Possess your healing. Claim your healing. Declare your healing. Maybe it's about your finances. Possess it in the name of Jesus. Possess it. Because God has promised you. It is yours. Take it. In the name of Jesus. The God has promised. Take it. In the name of Jesus. Don't allow the enemy to confuse you. Don't allow the enemy to take advantage. And keep you in ignorance. And continue troubling you. [01:23:40]

See how far He has brought me and you. The King of Kings, Uncle Iman, see how far God has brought us. If not for God, if not for Him, He told me that the enemy has sought to save you like wheat. Man, I have prayed for you. I have prayed for you so that you can have rest all around. Hallelujah. Amen. [01:30:56]

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