City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he sets a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later of another day. 9 So then, there remains a sabbath rest for the people of God; 10 for whoever enters God’s rest also ceases from his labors as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience.

Hebrews 4:6-11 (RSV)

Reflection

The rest of God is a Sabbath after six days of hard work, refreshing and peaceful. It is to cease from seeking salvation through our works because Jesus has completed the work for our salvation; we can rest because of His work. To enter God’s rest is to resign oneself to the peaceful posture of obedience to Jesus, who said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).  It is where we discover the freedom Truth unlocks for those with the faith to act on it. The rest of God is a preview of our ultimate eternal abode in the presence of God. It is not the absence of work but a permanent sabbath for the soul. 

God’s rest is not for everyone — “it remains for some to enter it.” (v. 6) Sorry Universalists. People still have free will, and some will choose not to enter “because of disobedience” (v. 6). 

So, the writer says “Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (v. 7). We’ve all seen it–people who have had their eyes opened by the grace of God but delay a decision for Him, thinking they will do it later. They suppose their enlightenment was their discovery rather than a brief moment of special grace “today,” and by waiting they miss their opportunity to enter into the rest of God.

What Joshua offered Israel —an earthly territory where God would bless His people, though surrounded by their enemies—was not the true rest of God (v. 8). It was a metaphor for those who would enter the kingdom of God later, “today,” and although surrounded by people in rebellion to God, experience the soulful repose that comes from faith in the finished work of Jesus.

Application

So, the writer of Hebrews says, “there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (v. 9). It is real. It is for today. It is for those who trust in Jesus. “Therefore”—and here is the oxymoron—“strive to enter that rest…”(v. 11). That striving is not for works to justify ourselves; it is a zealous, seeking after and obedience to Jesus, in whom we have placed our faith. We are to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering…” (Hebrews 10:23), and we are to “fight the good fight of faith” (I Timothy 6:12). “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence and violent men take it by force” (Matthew 11:12), but having entered the Kingdom, they will find peace eternal.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for preparing a rest for those who trust in You. Amen.