God's Rest

A life of faith (in Jesus Christ) and obedience (to God and His Word) brings rest. On the contrary, a life of unbelief and disobedience prevents one from entering God's rest. Hebrews 4 warns Christians to learn from the Israelite's mistake. Many of them did not get to enter God's rest (the Promised Land) because of their unbelief and disobedience. Those who do not believe in the Gospel, harden their hearts, and refuse to trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior shall not enter God's rest. "The use of the term sabbatismos (“Sabbath-rest”) suggests that the weekly sabbath given to Israel is only a shadow of the true rest of God." (Ray Stedman) This rest is available only for God's people (both Jew and Gentile believers). God offers it. Take it. We who are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ shall enter God's rest since we do not rely on our own works to earn God's favor, but we rest securely and solely on Christ's finished work of redemption on the cross. We also rest from striving on our own strength (walking in the flesh) to live up to God's standards. Instead, we now walk by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit, being equipped to live a godly life. And some day, we, Christ's followers, will enjoy the eternal rest in Heaven. True rest is not a day; it's a Person, Jesus Christ. "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." (Matthew 11:28-29) Jesus invites us to simply rest in Him, the Lord of the Sabbath, the Prince of Peace. Rest in God's faithful promises. Rest in God's amazing, inexhaustible grace and mercy. Rest in God's sovereignty (He's always in control). Rest in God's mighty power (nothing is impossible with God). My M.O. in life is I pray; I trust; I rest.

I believe that this passage also serves as a warning for Hebrew Christians (and us) not to fall into Judaism or any legalistic version of Christianity. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1) We are now under grace, no longer under the Law. Rest in the freedom we have in Christ. It doesn't mean we can do whatever we want; rather, it means we are free from flesh/sin to do what God wants. Through our faith accompanied by obedience (fruit of our faith), our soul is at rest in Christ Whom we abide.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for being my Refuge and Shelter! How sweet it is to be able to rest in Your loving, everlasting arms. Thank You for Your inexhaustible grace that carries me through any storms of life. Please empower me to daily walk by faith and walk in obedience.

A Rest Remaineth for the Weary
by Johann S Kunth

A rest remaineth for the weary;
Arise, sad heart, and grieve no more;
Though long the way, and dark and dreary,
It endeth on the golden shore.
Before His throne the Lamb will lead thee,
On heav’nly pastures He will feed thee,
Cast off thy burden, come with haste;
Soon will the toil and strife be ended,
The weary way which thou hast wended.
Sweet is the rest which thou shalt taste.

The Father’s house has many a dwelling,
And there will be a place for thee.
With perfect love His heart is welling
Who loved thee from eternity.
His precious blood the Lamb hath given
That thou might’st share the joys of Heaven,
And now He calleth far and near:
“Ye weary souls, cease your repining,
Come while for you My light is shining;
Come, sweetest rest awaits you here!”

O come, come all, ye weak and weary,
Ye souls bowed down with many a care;
Arise and leave your dungeons dreary
And listen to His promise fair:
“Ye bore your burdens meek and lowly,
I will fulfill My pledge most holy,
I’ll be your solace and your rest.
Ye are Mine own, I will requite you;
Though sin and Satan seek to smite you,
Rejoice! Your home is with the blest.”

There rest and peace in endless measure
Shall be ours through eternity;
No grief, no care, shall mar our pleasure,
And untold bliss our lot shall be.
Oh, had we wings to hasten yonder—
No more o’er earthly ills to ponder—
To join the glad, triumphant band!
Make haste, my soul, forget all sadness;
For peace awaits thee, joy and gladness—
The perfect rest is nigh at hand.