Rest in God’s Promise

6/21/2024

"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God." – Hebrews 4:9 (NIV)

In our dog-eat-dog world, rest often feels like a luxury. We are constantly on the go, juggling multiple responsibilities, and striving to meet various demands. Yet, the concept of rest is deeply embedded in God's plan for His people. Hebrews 4:9 reminds us of a profound truth: a Sabbath-rest remains for the people of God.

This verse is not just about physical rest but encompasses a deeper, spiritual rest. The Sabbath-rest mentioned here refers to the ultimate rest that God promises—a rest that is found in Him and His completed work. It is a rest that transcends mere cessation of work and enters into a state of peace and fulfillment that comes from being in God's presence.

Remember the word Sabbath means rest but there are different kinds of rest. Here are three different examples.

God’s Design for Rest:
Reflect on the creation account in Genesis. After six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3). This wasn't because God was tired, but to set a pattern for us. Rest is part of God's design for our well-being.

Rest in Christ’s Work:
The ultimate rest is found in Jesus Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus accomplished what we could never achieve on our own. We no longer have to strive for acceptance or work for our salvation. In Christ, we find true rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30).

A Present and Future Rest:
While we experience rest in God now through faith in Jesus, there is a future dimension to this rest. It points us to the eternal rest we will fully enter into in God’s presence. This hope encourages us to persevere through life’s challenges, knowing that a perfect rest awaits us.

Take time today to intentionally rest in God’s presence. Set aside your work, worries, and distractions. Spend a few moments in prayer, scripture reading, or simply being still before God. Let His peace fill your heart and mind.

Scripture shows that rest is not just a physical need but a spiritual necessity. Embrace the rest God offers, knowing that it is a gift from Him to refresh and renew you. In resting, we acknowledge our dependence on God and trust in His sovereign care.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of rest. Help me to cease striving and trust in Your finished work. Teach me to find my rest in You each day and to look forward to the eternal rest that awaits. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pastor Jeff

#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign

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