Working Hard for Rest - November 12 Readings: Jeremiah 41–43, Hebrews 4:1–5:10, Psalm 119:173–176, Proverbs 27:22–23

Links to November 12 Readings: Jeremiah 41–43, Hebrews 4:1–5:10, Psalm119:173–176, Proverbs 27:22–23

Most of us live lives of stress and of tumult. Even when we lay our heads down on the pillow at night, our brains continue to race - thinking about money or relationships or job stress or life circumstances or whatever else life has thrown at us. Rest comes hard. Relaxation isn't always easy.

But in Hebrews 4 we find out about a different kind of rest, the kind that God gives to those who repent of their sins and believe in his Son. Verse 1 makes an assertion and gives a warning.

Therefore, while the promise to enter His rest remains, let us fear that none of you should miss it. 

First, there is a promise from God that we can enter his rest. This is not the same kind of rest I spoke of earlier. It is not just relaxation - unwinding from the stresses of life. God's rest is a life of complete trust in God, a life lived by faith instead of the stress and strain of good works and dependence on ourselves to achieve righteousness. 

This is our true Sabbath rest as believers, a rest from our own works. As God rested from his works, we are to rest from ours. Consider verse 10. 

For the person who has entered His rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from His.

This is not about living sinful lives, but about how we live in holiness. Living the life God wants is not a product of our own good works, but of faith, of a total dependence on God. I am redeemed because of what Christ did - I simply trusted my life to him. And I am made holy by the work of Christ as well, trusting fully in his presence and power, his Spirit and his finished work. 

But there is a warning attached to verse 1. This perfect rest that God has provided for us, this Christ-purchased and Christ-provided rest is not automatic. Many of God's people miss it. Instead of living in dependence on the Christ who gave all for them, they stress and strain to make it on their own, depending on themselves and their own resources instead of on God. And it is such a waste. Verse 11 sums it up. 

Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

Now that's a strange statement, isn't it? "Make every effort to enter that rest." Work hard to rest? But that odd wording demonstrates an important point. We must daily put our faith in God, renounce dependence on our own works and our own abilities and rest fully in him. Every single day. 

Father, I rest in you and trust in you. When I've trusted in myself, I have lived in fear and stress, and I have failed. But when I walk in faith, you are faithful. Thank you for your wonderful rest.