We who have believed enter that rest

Hebrews 4 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

Therefore, we must fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. ² For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did; but the word they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united with those who listened with faith. ³ For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,

“As I swore in My anger, They certainly shall not enter My rest,”

although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; ⁵ and again in this passage, “They certainly shall not enter My rest.” ⁶ Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who previously had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, ⁷ He again sets a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before,

“Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.”

⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. ⁹ Consequently, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. ¹¹ Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must answer.

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.

Today’s text begins saying:  We must fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did; but the word they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united with those who listened with faith. For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “As I swore in My anger, They certainly shall not enter My rest,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.   God’s works, the rest that He promised was finished; provided from the foundation of the world. The text says: For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; and again in this passage, “They certainly shall not enter My rest.” Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who previously had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, He again sets a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.”   God rested on the seventh day, but His provision for our rest is found later in Genesis 3:14-15 it says: The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all the livestock, And more than any animal of the field; On your belly you shall go, And dust you shall eat All the days of your life; And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel.” In John 19:30, on the cross, Jesus said:  “It is finished!”  Jesus fulfilled God’s promise of rest for us. In John 14:15 Jesus says:  “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”   Yet, even though it is fully proved for, disobedience prevents us from entering into the rest promised by God and fulfilled in Christ.

The text says:  Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must answer. Many today focus only on the love, grace and mercy of God’s word. The other side of  God’s word speaks to what should be our response to His love, mercy and grace; that we should repent and walk in holiness and righteousness. God judges our thoughts and intentions. No person is able to judge another that way, but God can and does. He judges by the standard of His word; by how we respond, whether in obedience or disobedience. In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus says:  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”  We cannot respond to His love, calling Him Lord, yet still practice lawlessness. It’s not that any of us will be completely without sin, but those who practice lawlessness, do it thoughtfully and intentionally. The only way we can truly enter God’s rest is to be obedient to what Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30:   “Come to Me, all 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 My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”

The text gives us another key to entering into God’s rest. It says:  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.  Since nothing is hidden from God, we need to regardless of our situation or circumstance, draw near to Him. James 4:8 says:  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  If we will draw near, if we will approach the throne of grace with the confidence of a repentant heart, we will find help at the time of our need. Romans 8:34 says:  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  We find help and grace when we draw near to God because Jesus is there interceding for us. God sees us through the finished work of the cross so we can enter into His rest.

Thank You heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ; precious Holy Spirit for Your grace and mercy. I choose to enter into the rest You provided through the finished work of the cross. Through the power of the resurrection I will walk and work, yoked to You.   Amen.