(Heb 4:1,2 NLT) God's promise of entering His rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news-that God has prepared this rest-has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn't share the faith of those who listened to God.
This morning we continue In the third chapter of this letter to the Hebrews the writer quotes the 95th psalm at length and speaks of the Israelites who were cursed by God to die in the desert because of their unbelief. The author then juxtaposes (To place side by side, especially for comparison or contrast) the unbelief of the Israelites in chapter 3 with the faith of believers in chapter 4. The question that is raised is: is the promise of entering God's rest (given to the Israelites but forfeited because of unbelief) still valid in our time?
The answer is a resounding yes! The offer still stands, the rest is still available, the blessing is still there waiting for us, but only "we who have believed enter that rest" (verse 3). The believing part (faith) is the key and that is why the writer tells us that some might fail to experience it. I would venture to say that many today fail to experience it because of the hustle and bustle of modern day life. But whether we have failed to experience it in the past or not, the fact is that God's rest - a supernatural rest - is available to us today and if we take Him up on His offer His rest can change the way we experience life forever!
The Canaan rest for Israel is a picture of the spiritual rest we find in Christ when we surrender to Him. When we come to Christ by faith, we find salvation rest (Mat 11:28). When we yield and learn of Him and obey Him by faith, we enjoy submission rest (Mat 11:29-30). The first is "peace with God" (Rom 5:1); the second is the "peace of God" (Phi 4:6-8). It is by believing that we enter into rest (Heb 4:3); it is by obeying God by faith and surrendering to His will that the rest enters into us.
Having peace WITH God is one thing, but having the peace OF God is something else altogether; and this peace, this rest, the type that is available to us today is far greater than what the Israelites would have experienced in Canaan. How do I know? Because we have a better covenant! Our covenant was ratified with the Blood of Jesus, not the blood of bullocks, goats, and turtledoves. Interestingly enough, the book of Hebrews is often referred to as the "Book of Better Things" or the book that describes the "Better Covenant." The word "better" is littered throughout its pages. The covenant we enjoy in Christ is far greater than the covenant the Jews enjoyed through Abraham. That being the case, the rest offered to us today must be even greater than the Canaan rest offered to the Jews!
But guess what? The faith-factor still applies. Just like the Israelites had to mix what they heard with "faith" in order to experience the rest they were offered, we must do the same thing. In essence I am announcing (or preaching) to you the fact that God's rest is available, just like it was preached to them. And just like they required faith to receive it, you do as well. You must mix what you are receiving WITH FAITH if it is going to do you any good.
So what does this mean to you? It means that God's supernatural rest is available to you, but you must receive it, tap into it, and make a demand for it, by faith! If you don't tap into this rest by faith then you will be one of those who fail to experience it - and it won't be God's fault. The Father has done His part; He has sent His Son to die in your stead, He left you his Word so you can know what is available to you, and He dealt to you the measure of faith (Rom 12:3) so you can have the means through which to properly engage Him in order to receive His best. God's part is done, will you do yours? The offer still stands; will you take Him up on it?
Father, I thank Your for making Your rest available to me. Your rest is supernatural, it's awesome, it passes all understanding, and I want it! Since I am a believer and not a doubter, I declare, by faith, that I tap into Your rest today, this year, and for the rest of my life. I enter into Your rest and I live there. Once I am IN Your rest the stress, struggle, and strain of the world won't be able to negatively effect me. I have lived outside of Your rest far too long. I thank You for this series, I understand that Your offer for rest still stands, I mix what I am receiving with faith, and I LIVE in Your rest from this day forward! In Jesus' name. Amen!
This is Today's Word! Apply it and Prosper!
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