Enter His Rest

Hebrews 4:1-3 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.
 
THE word “rest” has three meanings: the Promised Land, heaven and the Sabbath. We’ll consider the first two here.
   Hebrews 3 has told of Israel’s rejection of God’s promise of rest in the new land. God was angry with his people. His anger is not emotional or vindictive. His anger comes out of his holiness. Anger is God’s just reaction to Israel’s disobedience: “They shall never enter my rest.’”
   But God’s plan to bring you into heaven’s eternal rest is still active. In fact, it has been a completed plan in God’s mind since eternity past. No disobedient people or person will destroy the eternal rest God has prepared for his church. Therefore, since the promise is still true, the church has a new opportunity to demonstrate faithfulness to God’s gospel – his words given to his people.
   The Jews in the Exodus journey certainly believed in God. The LORD God visibly displayed himself in the miracles, the fire on the mountain, the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day. But the Jews did not believe God. They disdained his promise that victory and rest awaited them in the Promised Land.
   Hebrews urges us to hear God’s Word with faith that extends into an active confession that declares, “I rest in God’s Word. I trust what he says and will live my life as closely to his Word as possible.” This is the faith that believes Jesus when he invites you into his rest: Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
   Believe Jesus. Anticipate your future with him. You will rest from worry, fear, doubt and despair. You will rest into the joy of knowing eternal heaven awaits you. Rest for body and soul is easier when you know the Lord’s promises are true.