November 15, 2023 -- Hebrews 6:1-12 -- True Rest

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Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.[a] 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,
“As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’”
although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said,
“They shall not enter my rest.”
6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
Hebrews 4:1-11

What is it you run to hoping to find rest? Some might answer TV. Others an afternoon nap. You might think eating better will result in peace and a calm mind. Of course there’s vacations or cottages or maybe a meal out. It is nearly a universal statement that people make, “I need a rest from my vacation. I was so busy.” So many things that we hope will bring us rest, disappoint us.

The rest that Hebrews is speaking of is entering the Promised Land. Joshua completed the work Moses started. He brought the Israelites into the Promised Land. It was a picture of rest from their task masters and their slavery in Egypt. However, the name Joshua in the Old Testament is in Greek, the language of the New Testament: Jesus. It is Jesus Who brings us true and lasting rest. The task master of sin and the burdens of shame and guilt are removed. We find rest in Him.

In order to truly rest, believers worship God on the Sunday. It is the reminder that all our other work, though meaningful, is not what we’re ultimately made for. We are made to worship God.

In order to truly rest believers delight in God. Spending time each day thinking of Who He Is. Eternal. Holy. Excellent in all His ways. Creator. Sustainer. Such thoughts remind us that “graveyards are filled with people who thought they were indispensable” however, it is God alone Who is all our strength, joy and song. He alone is worthy; He alone is from everlasting to everlasting.

In order to truly rest believers share their hope with other believers. One day Jesus will return with all His holy ones, and our hope which is anchored on Him through faith which is strengthened by the Holy Spirit, will become sight. We shall see the Lord our God and we shall enter that eternal rest.

I love You, O LORD, my Strength.
The LORD is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer,
my God, my Rock in Whom I take refuge,
my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my Stronghold.
Blessed are You, Father of Mercies for the rest You hold out to Your people in Christ. Blessed are You, Father of Mercies for the fullness of life which believers enjoy now through power of Your Spirit Who seals us in Christ and guards us until the day of rest. Amen.

(The prayer begins with a quotation from Psalm 18:1-2 ESV)

https://youtu.be/_JNJXnZzc9g?si=ZdbGejeB95ypuXxz “Don’t Forget the Sabbath”

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