[:en]SCRIPTURE: HEBREWS 4
“For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12)
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16)
God’s Sabbath rest means God rested on the seventh day after He had created the world. It is not a rest of exhaustion but rest of satisfaction. It also signifies our present rest of salvation when Christ had finished His work on the cross. This is the “rest of faith”, a spiritual rest that Jesus had promised.
Paul’s exhortations relating to “rest”
- Let us be careful (v. 11) – God wanted to deliver the people out of Israel to find rest. But they failed to enter that rest because of disobedience. Today, we can find rest day by day as we take His yoke and surrender to Him. Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For your yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mat. 11:28-30). So, be careful to claim the rest of victory by obeying God’s Word and applying it in your life.
- Let us make every effort to enter that rest (v. 11) – To make every effort means to be diligent. God gave us His Word as a sword to judge our thoughts and hearts. We must hear and heed God’s Word and apply it faithfully.
- Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess (v. 14) – Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). When we profess our faith, we show our testimony of living for Christ faithfully. Israelites lost their confession of faith due to their unbelief. They had poor testimony on the power of God. As a result, they wandered in the wilderness and lost God’s blessings. Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Christians who listen to God’s voice will show good testimony before the world.
- Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence (v. 16) – Christ is the high priest whom we can turn to when we are tempted and weak. He is our mercy seat where we can approach. When we come to His throne, He meets us and talks to us and gives us the strength to endure testings.
LESSON:
God had promised “REST” to all believers. This rest involves: the believer’s present salvation rest in Christ (v. 3, 10); the rest of victory when we overcome all temptations and trials (v. 11) ; and the future eternal rest in heaven (v.9). We can only have that “REST” if we deligently read His Word and apply it in our lives. We are to hold on to our faith with good life’s testimony. During times of testing, we can come to the mercy seat of Christ, the throne of grace for encouragement and strength. May we live in the Word and in prayer so that we can find “REST” in Him.
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