Day 89 "A Believer's Rest in God's Work" (Hebrews: Chapter 4)

To be at rest, free from conflict, free from worry, free from fear, is to find stillness in the soul. I came across this following sentence while reading this morning: The car crashed through the barrier and came to rest in a field. I don't know about you, but when I read the words "came to rest," I pictured in my mind this overwhelming sense of stillness and silence hovering over the field. The sounds of the car smashing and the sight of debris flying everywhere now laid still and silent. All had come to a stop.

Do you find yourself full of unrest and anxiety? Life unsettling for you? You often feel like you worry about almost anything and everything that comes along your way? Overwhelming, isn't it? Weary and tiresome, exhausting and burdensome, fatiguing and heavy-hearted, such a heavy load you bear and carry around. But that's not how God wants you to live!

“Come to me,all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-29

God wants you to find rest and peace in him. Through Christ, God has healed and reconciled our relationship with him. Through Christ, we have been fully pardoned from all of our sins and misdeeds. Through Christ, God's perfect and unconditional love tell us not to fear, he accepts us just as we are.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

So as we enter into Hebrews 4 today, may we find the rest of the believer that God so desires for us to experience.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green

pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." Psalms 23:1-3

Hebrews 4:

"For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith."

Hebrews 4:2

"Now we who have believed enter that rest," Hebrews 4:3

"It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience."

Hebrews 4:6

"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." Hebrews 4:7

"The believer rest in a perfect work of redemption." Hebrews 4:8

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Hebrews 4:12

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

Hebrews 4:13

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess."

Hebrews 4:14

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin."

Hebrews 4:15

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need."

Hebrews 4:16

Key verses to me:

"Now we who have believed enter that rest," Hebrews 4:3

"The believer rest in a perfect work of redemption." Hebrews 4:8

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Hebrews 4:12

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need."

Hebrews 4:16

Jesus, as we shall see in the chapters to come, became our high priest to bring us back to God. Jesus' perfect work of redemption upon the cross has redeemed us perfectly. "It is finished," declared Christ. And then he died. From a spiritual position through Christ, you have nothing to fear in life. Your eternal destiny has been secured! You no longer need be anxiously worrying about how your life is measuring up to God's standards because Jesus already secured your holiness and perfection before God for you.

"and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:24

So, as you travel forth through this life and face various temptations, trials, struggles, and disappointments, know that Jesus has already procured a life that can be lived in peace and rest for you. It is up to you to determine which pathway you desire to travel: one that you seek to be in control or one that submits under God's authority and provisions already

established in love and grace through Christ, to be experienced in God's peace and rest. A perspective of life that is viewed from an eternal point of view makes all the difference in the world!

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"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

John 10:11

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

Its refreshing to know that as we travel this river of life, that God provides us with gentle pools of water for quietness and refreshing of our minds and souls. It is his love and forgiveness that secures our peace and rest. All has been done for you. In his love, see you tomorrow....

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)