Ahhhh.... These rainy days really make me want to wrap up in a blanket and nap.
Rest.
But there's a never-ending list of things to do that keep me awake in these afternoon hours when my kids are actually sleeping at the same time, snuggled into their soft, warm beds.
Work.
All i could picture when reading the opening verses of Hebrews 4 were my days of high school track. Working hard to at least finish the race. And the only thing that kept me running around and around in circles was the fact that at the end, I would be able to rest.
40 laps in the wilderness is a long time. Especially without ever earning a rest. But that's what Hebrews 4 says happened. And the thing that caught my breath was the fact that it says we are given the same promises today as the children of Israel received.
The difference is a lack of faith.
This is the point in my reading that my soul jumped up and questioned, "What if i don't have enough faith? What if it's not strong enough to reach the finsh line?"
The difference is Jesus.
Our great High Priest has already been on the path we're on. He's experienced it all and knows how we feel. And, like the Message translation reads, "...He is so ready to give. [You] Take the mercy, accept the help" (v. 16)
I can rest.
Jesus has already done the work for me. I wrap myself up in a blanket of faith and rest in His salvation, in the work He did on the cross. What a privilege to serve a God Who goes to such ends to make sure we have every help to enter into His rest, to receive His promises.
2 comments:
I love the thoughts about rest here in chapter four too. And the concept of it being something we "enter into" is one I have to really think about.
I also have underlined the verses that talk about the word of God being alive and powerful. We just don't realize what the word of God does for us as we read it daily and digest it like food. Verse 12 says it "exposes our innermost thoughts and desires". Maybe that's why it is so hard to read consistently??? We don't like exposure. Then we are made accountable!
Great post, Heather. I am really looking forward to hearing you speak on Saturday, and I am praying for sunshine!!!
I love reading your posts, Heather; God has blessed you with a wonderful gift of writing!
As I read about “rest” in this chapter, four words kept popping out at me … unbelief, faith, disobedience, obey. Those before us did not enter in because of unbelief and disobedience. We enter into this rest . . .that God had ready for us before He made the world (vs. 3). . . by faith and obedience. Verse 4 says, “For only we who believe can enter his place of rest.” This rest is not a physical place or a day of the week but is a person, Jesus Christ. Entering into God’s rest starts with our decision and commitment to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. God’s rest is for us TODAY and every day.
As we, by faith, accept all that God has provided and trust that God will do what He says He will do and stop trying to fix and/or provide for the demands of life ourselves ... to stop being self-sufficient (speaking to myself here), we will enter into God’s rest.
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