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Let Us Enter God’s Rest

I hope that everyone has enjoyed this lovely day. Finally we are feeling the warmth of the Sun in the Mid of Spring season. Thanks be to God for this reminds us that there are different ways to gaze the beauty of God’s creation in every season.
This morning I was reading the book of Hebrews Chapter 3 and 4, focusing on importance of REST given by God to mankind. And there is truly a very solid wisdom God is showing us when we read these passages from the Book of Hebrews and how we can get to to reach God’s Rest.
In Genesis 2:3, “So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.”


However, God has warned His people that they will not enter God’s rest. In Hebrews 4:5, And again in this passage he said, "They shall not enter my rest."

Is God talking about a different kind of rest? Is He not the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow? God’s Rest defined from the beginning as the day when God finished all His work. This simply remind me that God has done all the works indeed.
Now, this is telling me that no matter what I do, I will fall short to the Glory of God (Romans 3:23). And in order for me to enter the Rest of God, I need to come and listen to His Wisdom, heed His Voice, and obey His Word. Hebrews 4:7 - again he appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."
Are we not wondering that even though we do nothing, we still get tired? That even if we avoid attending the services and meeting with God to rest at home or unwind in other places, we were neither refreshed and comforted in some areas of our lives? This could probably because we are not entering the true REST of God in our lives.
The author of Hebrew is giving some practical ways to be in the exact time, moment, and period of God’s Rest.

1. God’s Rest is a benefit for those who are united in faith with Jesus.
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. -Hebrews 4:2
The Body of Christ is called to be united. We are meant to be connected to the Vine, our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we will prosper in everything. Hearing and Hearing the word of God comes Faith, but when we came together we must be united in faith of what we have heard from God.
Those who are united in faith are those who listened to God, no longer just a hearer. For those who listened are those who understand the Wisdom of God. For those who listened, they are those who will also believe and obey God, serving Him faithfully as He is the King and we are His people.

2. For we who have believed enter that rest (Hebrews 3a).
Disobedience prohibit us in entering the Rest of God. Indeed, such prohibition is the justice of God. “as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter my rest,'" Hebrews 4:3b.
Jesus himself has already sent his invitation for everyone to Rest with God. “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” -Matthew 11:28
Anyone who want to respond to this invitation must first come to Him. However, how we can come if we do not believe. As Hebrews 11:6 says -“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” And one of such rewards is His Rest.

3. The True Sabath is the Rest of God not men
Hebrews 4:9-10
9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his
God has accomplished everything from what He has planned. Jesus Christ has already accomplished what He has sacrificed. The Holy Spirit is now working with us, that when He accomplished His purpose in us, we together with Him will enjoy the Rest with His Presence. Rest is only where the presence of God is.
See the people who are serving faithfully in the Lord’s vineyard, they are not getting tired because the Spirit of the Lord is working with them as He shared to them His different spiritual gifts. When He accomplished His purpose in them, to unite everyone in Christ through faith, there they achieve the unity in faith resulting to obedience in Christ and being rewarded to enter the Rest of God.
Galatians 3:26-27
26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
The most beautiful thing to enjoy in the Rest of God is that we are not going to work anymore, for such privilege is a result of Jesus work and not ours. Rather, we are to enjoy to consume the Word of God that we may not fall into disobedience to God which inherit His wrath.
As we consider this devotion to satisfy our thirst for God’s wisdom today:
Hebrews 4:11-13:
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Have a Great Evening and God bless you all!
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