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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 30 August 2024:
Hebrews 4:1, 3 — 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 we who have believed enter that rest…. 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.
Hebrews 4 continues from the topic started in chapter 3 on entering God’s rest, building upon two analogies: the Israelites entering into the rest of the promised land and God resting from His work of creation on the seventh day. The language used in these passages can be confusing since it describes both entering into God’s rest though having already entered into God’s rest and resting while yet fearing and striving, two things which would seem to keep people from resting. So which is it? Rest already or not yet, still fearing or striving. The answer is, yes. There is an essential rest in the Lord now which will only be realized ultimately when Christ returns, but the first rest is required for the ultimate rest. This is what theologians have called the “Already but not yet,” nature of salvation in Christ. On the seventh day, God rested from His work of Creation; this was a very real rest but not a complete rest. He certainly didn’t rest from being God, and He certainly didn’t rest from His work of redemption. Many Israelites entered the promised land of what would become Israel (though all but two of the first generation of wanderers didn’t), which brought them rest from their struggles in the desert. However, though very real and great, this rest wasn’t a complete rest, only a shadow of the ultimate rest God has in store for His people.
Jesus offers ultimate rest, soul rest. He said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29) This is the rest of salvation which “rests” on the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ. In Christ, God gives us rest from our guilt over sin and the fear of the penalty of our sin; He gives us rest from our futile striving to save ourselves; rest from our fears of death; rest from our struggles to control, to defend, to fight; rest from our anxieties, anger, and bitterness, and rest from our hopelessness. All this comes through faith, and Hebrews warns us, that we fail to enter into or experience this rest due to unbelief, which manifests into sin (Hebrews 3:12, 19; Hebrews 4:3). For those who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ, they already have rest in the presence, providence, peace, and promises of God, but yet they must still “strive” to fully appreciate and manifest what they have already received, and in that striving, still resting on the ultimate promise of Christ’s return when He will bring us to complete restoration and ultimately complete rest. We must strive the practice the presence of God, resting on grace with love, joy, peace, contentment, and thanksgiving.
Hebrews 4:2 – 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.
The word must be believed in faith in order to have benefit. Without faith, you can’t really hear the word.
Hebrews 4:8 – For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on.
Joshua in the Old Testament pointed to Jesus as does the entire Old Testament.
Hebrews 4:12, 13 – For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
God’s word exposes your heart and shows you if your attitudes and thoughts please God. How has God’s word penetrated your heart lately? Has the Holy Spirit used certain passages in the Scriptures to strike at your conscience? Has the Counselor revealed a place where your life is not in conformity to Christ? Are you struggling with gossip, hatred, anger, bitterness, greed, pride, jealousy, fear, ingratitude, etc? Regardless of how well you hide your sin from public view, the Holy Spirit will convict you through God’s Word.
One response to the discomfort of conviction is to avoid reading the Bible; perhaps this is one reason why so many find it so hard to “find time” for Bible reading. Better to be continually washed by the Word (Eph 5:26).
Others will approach the Scriptures superficially, avoiding too much painful introspection. Perhaps for them the Bible becomes “Do and do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule; a little here, a little there (Isaiah 28:10)” as described in our readings this morning. However, the Holy Spirit looks beyond outward actions to address the motives of your heart.
Far better to approach your daily Scripture readings with the prayer of the psalmist: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23, 24).” Do not quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden you heart (Hebrews 3:7).” Be transformed “by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).” Read; respond, and walk in the Light (1 John 1:7). Let’s continue to encourage each other along the way.
From Henry T. Blackaby — Does God’s word ever cause you discomfort? When you read the Bible does what you read make you uneasy? Do you find when you listen to sermons, that the Scripture seems aimed directly at you? You are experiencing the reality that the word of God is alive and can read your thoughts and judge your intentions. When God’s word speaks to you it is always for a purpose. God knows your heart and knows what you need to do to bring your life into conformity to Christ. If you have a problem with sinful talk, the word that comes to you will address the tongue. If you are struggling to forgive, God’s word will confront you with His standard for forgiveness. If pride has a stronghold in your life, God’s word will speak to you about humility. Whatever sin needs addressing, you will find you are confronted by God’s word on the matter…. Regularly allow the word of God to wash over you and find any sin or impurity (Eph. 5:26). Always make the connection between your life and what God is saying to you through His word. Make a habit of taking every word from God seriously, knowing that it is able to judge your heart and mind.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 30 August 2024: Do not quench or grieve the Spirit. Respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and grow in conformity to the character of Christ.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 