Rest!

Rest!

Hebrews 4:10-11 KJV

[10] For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. [11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

The writer of the book of Hebrews is not made clear in the book, but the messages in the book are applicable to all Christians today no matter the challenge we face. The chapter from where the verses above are taken from speaks on God's rest. God had made the earth and the heavens in the first six days of creation, and He rested on the seventh day. As we are made in His likeness, He has also extended that same grace to us, so we could enter into the same rest. It was not a rest into laziness or a lack of accountability, but a rest from aimless or fruitless labour. As we see from bible accounts, God always wanted His people to know and experience His rest. As part of the package for His people Israel, He gave a foretaste of what that rest would look like when He gave them a land that they did not work for. We know how this turned out for the people of Israel. 

Israel got a land flowing with milk and honey, filled with great and goodly cities which they did not build, houses full of good things, wells which they did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees they did not plant. However, they did not fully understand the impact of what they had received, and they messed it up. As the chapter from where the verses above are taken makes clear, if Joshua had given them rest at that time, we would not need the rest that is being offered in the verses above. The people of Israel must have become a bit  complacent and entitled, as they did not appreciate the value of what they had been given by God. The chapter refers to unbelief, and the consequence was that they could not enter into God's rest. Thank God that this is not where the story ended. God still offers His version of rest to all who would seek Him, and the benefits are worth the sacrifices and labour to take hold of that which God offers. 

He who enters into the rest that God offers is the one who truly rests from fruitless labour or pointless work. I note that the verses above do not say you stop working altogether; you work, but you do it with a sense of purpose and divine guidance, which lead to impact. You are not working for applause, as you already please the Master who commissioned the work you are doing; who backs you up all the way, and has already made you a success even as you apply yourself to the assignment. It is not longer I who works; it is God working in and through me to fulfil His purpose and make impact. The word of caution is always about trying to achieve it by myself; in my own strength, or by my own wisdom. As made clear above, I will not succeed on my own. The only work permitted here is to labour to enter into God's rest, and even that is by faith. I believe in the finished work of Jesus on the cross; I confess Him as my Lord and Saviour, and His help is available to take me through life's journey to the end, where there is eternal rest and reward. Make every effort to enter into this rest. Your eternity will be glad you did. God's time of favour is here.