TOPIC: ENTERING INTO GOD’S REST
TEXT: Hebrews 4:1-16(NKJV)
- 4:1. Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.
- 4:2. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard [it.]
- 4:3. For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
- 4:4. For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh [day] in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”;
- 4:5. And again in this [place:] “They shall not enter My rest.”
- 4:6. Since therefore it remains that some [must] enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,
- 4:7. Again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.”
- 4:8. For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.
- 4:9. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
- 4:10. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God [did] from His.
- 4:11. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
- 4:12. For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
- 4:13. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things [are] naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we [must give] account.
- 4:14. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] confession.
- 4:15. 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.
- 4:16. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
STUDY:
Rest is a very important desire of humanity. ‘Rest’ in our text today describes God’s readiness and desire for a permanent relationship and fellowship with his people. God’s rest signifies peace with him on earth and life with him in eternity.
The Israelites experienced the saving power of God in the Exodus and were exhorted to enter the land of Canaan that awaited them. They enjoyed God’s salvation and blessings, yet many failed to enter His rest because of their evil, unbelieving hearts. Many died in the wilderness because they lacked faith.
The Canaanite rest for Israel is a picture of the spiritual rest we find in Jesus when we surrender to him.
The comforts of life (possessions, status, achievements) do not guarantee God’s rest. This is why our passage today advises us to be careful not to fall short in our daily living, since the promise of entering his rest still stands (v.1).
Today, the word of God is being preached almost everywhere, but with seemingly little or no impact because not many are committed to obeying it.
To enter God’s rest, we need to trust his Word and obey him. Only in this way can we claim our inheritance in Christ.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to find rest in you, here and in the hereafter; Amen!
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