Discover the promise of entering God’s rest through faith in Jesus. Reflect on Hebrews 4:1-13 and find spiritual rest from life’s endless striving.
Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-13 ESV
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. 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. 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. For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 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.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
We often find ourselves caught in the busyness of life, always striving for more and never truly finding rest. This endless chase is what of the story of Sisyphus from Greek mythology is all about. The story goes that Sisyphus was the king of what is now known as Corinth, but he was wicked and cruel. This angered the gods of Greek mythology and so they condemned to roll a boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down each time he neared the top. He was doomed to do this for all eternity. His eternity was going to be frustrating, fruitless and unfulfilling. While this is a myth, it nevertheless captures our daily struggle as human beings. Life feels like endless work without real rest.
The author of Hebrews addresses this very issue. The Israelites heard the promise of rest, but they did not enter it because of their faithlessness and disobedience. The rest the author of Hebrews talks about is more than just sleep at the end of hard day. It is more than just stopping work. It is a spiritual rest, a rest that comes from trusting in God’s finished work. It is the same kind of rest the Sabbath day was meant to remind the Israelites of. It is the same rest all believers will enter into when we eventually die, or when Jesus returns.
But Israel’s struggle is our struggle too. We too have issues with unbelief and disobedience. We hear the good news, but we often fail to truly believe it and live it out. We trust in our efforts instead of God’s promise. This passage warns us to strive to enter God’s rest, not through our works but through faith.
One of the ways we struggle with this the most is in our work. How often do we fall prey to the temptation to work instead of attending church? How often do we trust in the money we earn, rather than in God’s provision? When we do this, we are condemning ourselves to live like Sisyphus. Unfulfillingly chasing money rather than enjoying the daily and weekly rhythms of rest God mapped out for us.
Jesus offers a solution to this relentless striving. He calls us to come to Him, to take His yoke, and find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus’ work on the cross finished the work necessary for our salvation. It means we can actually trust God to take care of us, rather than trusting in our own efforts. This is true both spiritually and physically.
So do you trust God? If you don’t you are doomed never to truly rest. Do you really want that?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of rest. Help me to trust in Your finished work through Jesus. Reveal my unbelief and lead me to obedience. May Your Word shape my heart and guide my steps. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge:
Take time today to reflect on areas of your life where you rely on your efforts instead of God’s promise. Consciously choose to trust Him and seek His rest through prayer and reading Scripture.