Hebrews 4:1,9-11 Entering His Rest

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it...So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall. (Hebrews 4:1, 9-11 NLT)

Observation:

The rest given and described in chapter 4 of Hebrews is bothy physical and spiritual. Just as our bodies need time to recuperate and rejuvenate from a hard week, so too, our minds and spirit. We need a day to separate ourselves from the pull of the world. Maybe it's turning off the TV for the day or taking a day away grind of physical or mental labor. If you are an introvert like me, you may just need quiet space away from people. The world calls this laziness and wants you to fill up every waking hour with "something". This is "busyness" trap and one that will get you running of the treadmill to nowhere. 

When we enter the rest that God has for us, we submit to both His sovereignty and goodness. We begin to see that the world does not revolve around us and our plans. We even start asking God about His plans. We detox from the lies that the world has planted in us during the week. We are being intentional about soaking in His love and our hearts begin to overflow in praise to Him. 

This rest is so important that God commands us to keep His sabbath holy. Not for His good, but for ours. 

Application:

In America the sabbath rest is anything but holy. God's people in America have even more opportunities than the average American population to stay busy. As if trying to keep up with what we are told is a great parent and a great spouse isn't enough, we are told that we also need to be a great Christian. All this "greatness" requires lots and lots of "doing". It's all a lie. There is nothing inherently wrong with doing, in fact, we need to work so that we can enter into God's rest. However, Christ should always at the center of everything we do. He cannot be at the center if we aren't intentionally taking time to make it so.

I am not one to say how long that rest should be or what that rest should look like. However, I can say for myself that I have to take moments of that rest throughout my day, and sometimes I need a whole 24 hours in addition to my daily rests to detox and rejuvenate. Most of the time I can't go but for a few hours before my mind begins to focus on me and my plans. 

Prayer: 

Thank You Lord for Your rest and the healing it brings to my soul. Your rest helps me to sync up with the rhythms of grace. Please continue to help me keep is step with You.