“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. Let us therefore be
diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of
disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:9-11 NKJ)
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. Let us therefore be
diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of
disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:9-11 NKJ)
Five-year-old
Jonathan played in the yard. He was so intent that he wouldn’t stop to go to
the restroom or eat. Even at his mother’s urging he wouldn’t take a break.
Finally, as dusk settled around him, his energy waned and tiredness took over.
As soon as supper was ended, mom would usher Jonathan to the shower then,
despite his protests, she would brush his hair and blow it dry. He was usually
fast asleep before she was finished. Mom was a wise woman.
Jonathan played in the yard. He was so intent that he wouldn’t stop to go to
the restroom or eat. Even at his mother’s urging he wouldn’t take a break.
Finally, as dusk settled around him, his energy waned and tiredness took over.
As soon as supper was ended, mom would usher Jonathan to the shower then,
despite his protests, she would brush his hair and blow it dry. He was usually
fast asleep before she was finished. Mom was a wise woman.
At my age, physical
rest is essential. Thank God for this invention! Now, I know the issue isn’t
whether God gets tired or needs rest. Instead, it is about God’s completed
purposes of creation and eternal salvation. Unlike young Jonathan (and most of
us), God knew when his task was completed. He knew when to stop and relax.
rest is essential. Thank God for this invention! Now, I know the issue isn’t
whether God gets tired or needs rest. Instead, it is about God’s completed
purposes of creation and eternal salvation. Unlike young Jonathan (and most of
us), God knew when his task was completed. He knew when to stop and relax.
The author of
Hebrews used our text passage to teach me that I should rest from my own
attempts to gain eternal life (Heb. 3 & 4). The point is: God is my
example, whether I need spiritual or physical rest. He chose to rest from his
labors. I should rest in his work, not my own.
Hebrews used our text passage to teach me that I should rest from my own
attempts to gain eternal life (Heb. 3 & 4). The point is: God is my
example, whether I need spiritual or physical rest. He chose to rest from his
labors. I should rest in his work, not my own.
God’s example,
however, is not so much about physical rest and recreation, although it does
apply. Rather, God understood there was nothing else He could do for the
salvation of mankind, so he stopped forming it and trusted that human beings
would accept his salvation and receive it.
however, is not so much about physical rest and recreation, although it does
apply. Rather, God understood there was nothing else He could do for the
salvation of mankind, so he stopped forming it and trusted that human beings
would accept his salvation and receive it.
No matter how hard
or how smart we work at it, we simply can’t deliver ourselves from the evil
that enslaves humanity. Intellectually, it is a difficult thesis to accept.
Yet, God finished that deliverance work in Jesus Christ, thus making him our
salvation rest! Receiving God’s finished work is an act of faith, not
intellect.
or how smart we work at it, we simply can’t deliver ourselves from the evil
that enslaves humanity. Intellectually, it is a difficult thesis to accept.
Yet, God finished that deliverance work in Jesus Christ, thus making him our
salvation rest! Receiving God’s finished work is an act of faith, not
intellect.
Dear Father, thank
you for the comfort of your eternal rest. Enable us with the diligence to enter
that rest. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for the comfort of your eternal rest. Enable us with the diligence to enter
that rest. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Rest in Christ
today,
today,