City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

Therefore, since the promise to enter his rest remains, let us beware that none of you be found to have fallen short. ² For we also have received the good news just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith. ³ For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what he has said,

So I swore in my anger,
“They will not enter my rest,”

even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world. ⁴ For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in this way: And on the seventh day God rested from all his works. ⁵ Again, in that passage he says, They will never enter my rest.

Hebrews 4:1-5 CSB

So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. ² On the seventh day God had completed his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. ³ God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it he rested from all his work of creation.

Genesis 2:1-3 CSB

Reflection

It is a common argument amongst atheists to talk about why an omnipotent god would rest from his work? Then they will state that Jesus said God the Father never rested and is working until now (John 5:17). Isn’t this contradictory? It first glance, may be so, but not when we begin to understand what kind of rest is being talked about.

The author of Hebrews gives us a great explanation of God’s rest. The rest of God is metaphorical. When God created the universe and placed Adam and Eve at the center of it, He meant for them to experience His goodness and His creation. When they sinned, the ability to rest in God’s goodness and creation disappeared and they now had to work harder to get the fruits from the earth and constantly be anxious instead of enjoying the Garden of Eden as God intended. The busyness of life replaced God’s intended purpose for us.

Just imagine for a minute, what a life would be like if there were no fears of bills, accidents, health problems, death, or stress. Wouldn’t work and life be…enjoyable? As we see in Revelation, God is planning to do just that. He will create a new earth where we can enjoy His presence as was intended. All the brokenness of sin would be washed away.

As long as it’s called today, God’s invitation still stands for all human beings. All we need to do is accept that we are sinners and are alienated from God, believe in Jesus Christ who is God incarnate, and that Jesus came to restore our relationship with God by cleaning us from our sins through His death and resurrection.

Just as David told the Israelites in Psalm 95 that the invitation for God’s rest remains open and not for them to be disobedient, so God is also inviting us today. That’s how the author of Hebrews begins chapter 4.

Therefore, since the promise of His rest remains…

…do not harden your hearts.

Application

This life has many hardships, sorrows, and trials. We will never be free from the pain and hurt while we still have our physical bodies. As Benjamin Franklin once put it, “nothing in this life is certain except for death and taxes.” Death will come to us all quicker than we think, and then we will either be in an eternity with God and His rest, or spend eternity outside of His glory – which is hell.

Because we do not know what tomorrow brings, it is important to live each day as if it’s our last. Do not hold off accepting Jesus as your savior and do not hold off living a life dedicated to God.

Prayer

Father in heaven, help me to live life in such a way that each day may be my last. There is no promise that tomorrow will come for me and I should not hold off following You for even one day. Let me seek after Your rest through Jesus Christ and to share this good news with those around me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.