PROMISES A PLACE OF REST
Opening Prayer
Thank you for your Word, Lord God; use it to encourage and challenge me today.
Read HEBREWS 4:1–13
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God
4 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.[a] 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”[b]
And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”[c] 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”[d]
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,[e] just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
12 For the word of God is alive 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. 13 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.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 4:2 Some manuscripts because those who heard did not combine it with faith
- Hebrews 4:3 Psalm 95:11; also in verse 5
- Hebrews 4:4 Gen. 2:2
- Hebrews 4:7 Psalm 95:7,8
- Hebrews 4:10 Or labor
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Psalm 95 features again in today’s verses, so read the whole psalm in its entirety as you prepare to hear God (v. 7): ‘Today, if only you would hear his voice’ (Psalm 95:7).The letter to the Hebrews begins with God speaking to the prophets, through Moses, the psalms, David, and ultimately, through the Son. Verses 12 and 13 in today’s passage conclude the first section of this letter. The penetration of his Word is awesomely powerful (vv. 12, 13).
But has the writer’s needle gotten stuck? How many times is Psalm 95 quoted? God rested, having finished his work of creation (v. 3). Job done! Similarly, Jesus, also involved in creation, ascended into heaven, sat down on his throne (1:3). Job done!
But God the Father, Son, and Spirit is certainly not inactive. This ‘rest’ is not a ‘state of being’ but a ‘real place’ of activity and celebration. Here is the urgent invitation to God’s people to persevere, to be found worthy to enter the place that the writer describes in promised land language (v. 11). For example, ‘rest’ in these verses is similar to the idea of ‘city’ or ‘homeland’ in 11:9, 10,13–16; 12:22. This is the promised destiny of anyone who obeys and trusts God (vv. 1, 2).
Apply
This is your destiny. ‘Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there … who … will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body’ (Philippians 3:20, 21). Reflect on this, our hope!
Closing prayer
Father, thank you for the rest that is offered to me in your Son. Help me where I am tempted with unbelief. Give me faith for everything in your Word and help me to trust in all of your promises.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.