Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. ~Hebrews 4:9
What comes to your mind when you think of the word rest? I think for some of us, rest brings to mind sleep, peace, cessation of busyness, recovery, replenishment, and removal. However, our mediation this morning is on the Christian rest. Let us see what it means to find our rest.
The principle of rest takes us back to when Joshua led the children of Israel to possess the land of inheritance. They were to conquer the Canaanites in order to acquire this inheritance. Once acquired, the land and the cities were their rest. It did not mean that they did not have to work anymore, but it meant that they had a place that they called home that gave them rest in their souls. When we apply it to our “Canaan,” our rest is Heaven. Heaven is our eternal rest. We are walking by faith in this life, conquering the spiritual enemies that confront us, but knowing full well our task is complete when it is time for us to go to Heaven.
“Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” We are exhorted to have faith as we journey through this life and to be diligent as believers. We must be diligent in our worship. We corporately worship God when we assemble as God’s people at church. We are to assemble so much the more. We must be diligent in our service and work for the Lord. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” We are to be diligent in winning souls, advancing church planting, and sending missionaries to foreign soil. A lack of diligence will lead to doubt and unbelief.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The believers whom Paul wrote to were not giving the earnest heed to the things which they heard. An evil heart of unbelief hardens us from believing God’s promises. We must labor in the Word when it comes to reading, study, memorization, and sitting under preaching. We find our rest in the precepts and promises of God’s Word for our life. Let God’s Word dwell in you richly in all wisdom.
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” We must keep our eyes on Jesus! He is the perfect rest for every burdened and hurting soul. He has completed His work on the cross for salvation and sits at the right hand of God. Let us look unto Jesus Who endured such contradiction of sinners. When our eyes are on Jesus, we are not easily discouraged and we are strengthened to hold fast our profession.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” We find rest when we come to the throne of grace. As we come to the throne of grace, we find God’s mercy in abundance and His grace to help us in our time of need. Prayer gives us rest during the storms. Prayer gives us assurance of God’s presence. Prayer is when God wraps His cables of grace around us and keeps us from falling apart. Yes, there is rest for the people of God. Don’t let distractions and discouragement keep you from attaining God’s rest.
Bible Reading Schedule: Ezra 1-3
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