Entering God’s Rest

Hebrews 4:1-12 What does it mean to enter into God’s rest? Sometimes we say to a person who seems to be stubborn in their understanding, "Do I need me to draw you a picture?” God draws many pictures in His Word to help us to understand what He’s trying to tell us. When work is completed, one rests. When God finished His creation in six days, He rested on the seventh day. He gave them the Sabbath day to help them with the concept. On the seventh year they were to rest their fields. After six years of work Hebrew slaves were to be set free. During these times of rest they had to depend on God to supply their needs. When Israel left Egypt, they had finished their labor and it was God’s design for them to enter His rest and His care on the way to and in the promised land. They refused to trust in God, they constantly rebelled and complained. They would not believe in, trust, and rely upon God’s care. They were never able to enter the rest that God intended. When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, His work was finished. He sat down at the right hand of God. He finished our work for us. It is left for us to enter into His rest. Heb. 4:10 “for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His." If you’re still trying to earn your way with God, then you still haven't entered His rest. That work is done! It is the Word that tests our belief or unbelief, our obedience or disobedience, our attitudes and intents. That’s what verse 12 is all about. It pierces and opens wide the soul and the spirit and examines what is really there. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of our heart. David said in Psalm 139:23f"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”