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Failing to rest is not only missing out on a blessing, it’s defiance.
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Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” 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 appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
God is serious about rest. Not only does God create us with regular sleep rhythms, he models rest for us when he sets aside an entire day to simply enjoy all he created (Genesis 2:1-3). God lovingly commands us to follow his example by keeping a weekly Sabbath and entering his rest. Throughout the whole Bible, God reiterates his deep desire to give us his rest, and when we refuse, his unsatisfied passion infuriates him.
In Hebrews 4, we catch a glimpse of God’s passionate desire for rest – as the author quotes many instances when God’s children hardened their heart and failed to enter his rest. It’s clear the lack of true rest is consequence for disobedience. Failing to rest is not only missing out on a blessing, it’s defiance. Hebrews 4:10 says, “Let us, therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”
Striving to enter rest is not merely scheduling a vacation or setting a few days aside to cease work. The rest God desires for us is a deep rest within our soul. Granted, this involves submitting to the regular rhythms he’s set in motion for us. Honoring our sleep cycle, setting down our agenda to spend time with Jesus and taking a weekly Sabbath helps put every day into perspective.
Rest takes courage. We have to let time pass without having control – without making more progress – without making more money. But, that’s the beauty of how God designed us – to let go and trust him. Rest is God’s good gift for us and when we refuse, we become an irritable child who stubbornly refused to take an ever-so-needed afternoon nap. So, schedule time in your schedule today to go on a walk or read scripture or simply allow yourself to be loved. Let’s become stubborn about enjoying God’s rest rather than refusing it.[/vc_column_text][us_separator height=”25px” size=”custom”][vc_column_text]
By Yvonne Biel
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