City Life Starter

I. The Word: Hebrews 4:12

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (NLT)

II. Study Questions

1. Are you aware of your innermost thoughts and desires? Take a few minutes and write them down.

2. Have you ever felt physical and/or mentally rested and yet weary deep within at the same time? What were you going through?

3. Alternatively, have you ever felt physical and/or mentally exhausted, and yet felt completely at rested deep within at the same time? What kind of situation was it?

Hebrews Chapter 4 is all about God’s people being promised true rest in Christ. Who doesn’t want that, right? Why then did the Apostle Paul spend so much time pleading with the readers of Hebrews to obey the 4th commandment. Yes, rest is a commandment (Ex 20:8)

What is God’s big deal with rest anyway? Can’t he see how busy I am trying to make my life count for Him and His glory? Surely he doesn’t mean it?

It turns out he does mean it, and we have an example of the dire consequences of disobedience when it comes to entering the promise of Godly rest by faith, above all our human efforts to be worthy of it.

8 Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,
as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors tested me;
they tried me, though they had seen what I did.
10 For forty years I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’” (Psalm 95:8-11)

“Never” (v. 11) is a pretty strong word. And never being able to enter His rest is too daunting for me to think about. So let’s keep going in Hebrews:

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Wait, I thought Paul was talking to us about rest? Why did he suddenly jump to swords, and cutting deep, and exposing private things?

Far from rest, I get jittery just thinking about what I might find if I allow the sword of God’s Word to reveal what’s really (really, really) going on inside me. One thing I can admit, whatever is in there is NOT at peace with Christ.

So how am I supposed to be at rest when I’m afraid of what might happen if I do? Thankfully the Apostle Paul ends Chapter 4 with the answer!! That answer can be found in verses 14-16, and I urge you to find, read, and meditate on those verses throughout your day today.

Rest well, believers!

III. PRAYER

God, thank you, that rest is blessed. You created the universe and all it contains in 6 days. Amazing! But you only blessed one day, the 7th day, the day You rested from your incredible creation. Since you rested from your work, shouldn’t we also rest from ours? To honor Godly rest, the Sabbath rest is a commandment I’ve broken more than any other. Please forgive me Lord, and give me the strength to enter into your deep rest. I trust you with my life, and I believe in your promise of eternal rest for those who call on the name of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Help me with my unbelief about rest. I want to work as you do, God. And I want to rest like you too. Amen.