Rest!

Rest!

Hebrews 4:10 AMP

[10] For the one who has once entered His rest has also rested from [the weariness and pain of] his [human] labors, just as God rested from [those labors uniquely] His own. 

The writer of Hebrews writes of a rest that has been promised by God. What is this rest? 

There was a time a man called Abraham was asked to leave his father's house, and go to an unknown land that the Lord would show him. At the time, many promises were made to the man Abraham, and he did not see the fullness of the promise coming to pass. Descendants of Abraham had also lived in the land that had been promised as strangers, and at some point in time, due to famine, they left the land to go to Egypt. What happened to the promise of a settled land that was made centuries ago? With God, time is such a fluid concept. He does not measure time the way we do, and He is not limited by time the way we are. The promise of a land flowing with milk and honey still stood, and even though it took time, the people of Israel eventually took possession of the land. 

Who says God's promises can be broken? Which human being can say a thing and also guarantee it, unless God has said it? The bible makes it clear that nobody can speak and it comes to pass, unless the Lord has decreed it. The promise of rest for God's people was fulfilled on the physical level, but there is a bigger picture at stake here. The verse above refers to a person who has entered into the rest that has been promised by God. This is bigger than just the land flowing with milk and honey; it is a rest that cannot be stopped or changed or limited by anyone. It is a rest from labour and striving, trying to earn God's approval by mere works alone. It is deeper than a man seeking to be justified by the works of the law. The verse says a man has to enter into it, which means that many will miss the entry, because they seek it on the wrong premise. 

Reflect on this: the world only understands getting anything by force, intelligence or manual labour. God tells me to focus on my relationship with Him, and He will bring me into His rest. Furthermore, He does not just tell me what is nice to hear; records show that He also rested from all His labour, showing me that in Him, I get all that He is and has. You cannot give what you do not have; you cannot secure rest for someone when you have not experienced the rest yourself. I am able to work hard under His command, sure that I have His backing at all times. I do not need any hypocrisy or eye-service; I keep at it because I know where and how the story will end. God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but be sure that He will secure any life that is entrusted into His care. Are you under His care? Am I? God's time of favour is here.