Hebrews 4:1-5

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.  For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.  For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.  For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.”  And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.”

This world is a place of difficult and often futile work and not of rest.  God has promised a place of rest in Himself where we will still work but in ways that are fulfilling and joyful.  In Christ we can have a foretaste of that kind of work here on earth, but God’s plan of redemption promises a perfect rest that will allow us to enjoy our service to the Lord and worship of the Lord to the fullest.  In the meantime, as we wait for that perfect rest, we can experience His rest now by following these instructions.  

FEAR OF THE LORD: God has promised a rest that is His eternal kingdom.  It will be a rest from sin, sickness, suffering, and sorrow.  This rest if far and above superior to the Promised Land the children of Israel sought to inherit.  Because the rest is superior our fear of failing to reach it should be greater.  Missing out on a lifetime of prosperity in a land flowing with milk and honey is a bad thing.  Missing out on an eternity living under and participating in the rule and reign of king Jesus on a new earth where only righteousness dwells is a terrifying thing.  The author of Hebrews exhorts us to fear the Lord lest we fail to reach that rest He has promised.

FAITH IN THE LORD: Just as the message of rest in the Promised Land reached the children of Israel, the message of salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ has reached us.  Unfortunately, the message that reached Israel proved to be ineffectual because it was not received in faith.  There are those who listen to the message of the Gospel and respond in faith.  There are those who hear the Gospel and fail to understand it or respond to it.  The message of the Gospel requires that we believe and entrust our eternal salvation into its care.  The only way to enter the eternal rest Christ has promised is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

FOLLOW THE LORD: Creation order demonstrates that God’s work in creating the universe was concluded by rest.  God is not limited like we are and certainly does not need to rest in the same way that we do.  He is a God who neither slumbers nor sleeps much less needs to take a day off or go on vacation.  He rested as an example to us so that we would understand that when our work on earth is done, there is rest in Him we can enter.  God’s rest from creation continues still today and forever.  One day we will enter that perfect rest with Him.  We are called to follow Him by being holy because He is holy.  We anticipate the rest in which He entered as our future reality.  So, as we look forward to that day we continue to follow Him while we anticipate following Him in rest.

APPLICATION: Look forward with great anticipation the glorious rest that God has planned for us.  Fear the Lord with a great desire to please Him and enjoy entering His eternal kingdom.  Trust Him alone for our salvation and the only hope we have of being forgiven and given the privilege of reigning with Him on the new earth.  Seek to follow the Lord along each step of life’s journey into the eternal rest to which He is leading.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows into our lives.  These blessings from God are always available to us as long as we remember the
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.    By the Holy Spirit   who dwells within us, guard   the good deposit entrusted to you. There is nothing more important th
Read more

Titus 1:1-4

Paul, a servan t  of God and   an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and   their knowledge of the truth,   which accords with godliness ,  in hope of eternal life, which God,   who never lies,   promised   before the ages bega n  and   at the proper time manifested in his wor d  through the preaching   with which I have been entrusted   by the command of God our Savior;   To Titus,   my true child in   a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Paul begins this book written to his co-worker whom he has left on the island of Crete, with his own job description.  Paul felt called by God and compelled by God to minister in the lives of other people.  Those who were unbelievers needed to hear the Gospel.  Believers needed to be brought to maturity in Christ.  He also had a deep desire to see Titus blessed and encouraged in the Lord.  These initial greetings give us insight into Paul’s heart. THE PURPOSE OF AN APOSTLE:
Read more