ENTERING INTO GOD’S REST

One of the most important themes in the Book of Hebrews is holding fast to our faith with admonishment not to fall away. In the early church there was great pressure to renounce Christ and return to Judaism. The early Christians faced great persecution

and often death as they stood upon that faith, but Hebrews encourages us that we can enter into God’s rest, and that rest is for now, while we are here upon this earth.

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 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. For only we who believe can enter his rest… Hebrews 4:1-3 NLT

Rest is God’s best, and rest is for now. As Christians, our citizenship is now in Heaven, but we are all here on assignment. No matter what we may face here on earth, we can be confident that our best days are ahead of us! When Moses led the children of Israel

out of Egypt, this was a picture of salvation. Jesus came to deliver us from the bondage of sin. He took the curse for us. Of course, we know that the children of Israel encountered the wilderness on the way to the promised land. Because of unbelief, an 11-day journey turned into a 40-year trip as they wandered in circles and never found God’s rest. (Hebrews 3:8)

In Numbers 13, we see the response of the children of Israel as they heard news of the promised land. They saw that the land was good, all that God had promised, but they also saw the obstacles. They were moved to unbelief by what they saw. They saw the giants and the walled cities. In our own lives, we might see the promised land or God’s

best for our lives, but if we never think our lives can get any better, we are not believing God’s Word. We often want God’s best, but we fail to realize God’s rest has been ready since He created the world. We try to get God to create something for us when it is already available. His rest is ready.

Looking back at creation, God created the world in 6 days. He made such wonderful things! God looked at all that He had created and it was beautiful! Then He placed man in the middle of it. (Genesis 2:15) Adam had no stress. He had no fear. His job was to dress the garden and keep it. Rest is not worrying about needs or bills. As we trust God, we are free to work for Him, and He will multiply our resources

We are now a part of the Kingdom of God, and our greatest accomplishment is not what we have, it is what we DO. We are here to build the Kingdom and to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives. God put resources in the earth for us to accomplish His purposes. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. Hebrews 4:7 NLT It is up to us to keep moving forward into all God has called us to do. (Hebrews 4:11 AMP) We must keep working for God. We must be diligent to complete God’s assignment by faith and enter into His rest. If you enjoyed this message recap, join us on Wednesday nights at 6:30 and learn more about the rest of God.