“If Joshua gave the Israelites rest, God wouldn’t have spoken about another day later on. So you see that a sabbath rest is left open for God’s people. The one who entered God’s rest also rested from his works, just as God rested from his own. Therefore, let’s make every effort to enter that rest so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience, because God’s word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates to the point that it separates the soul from the spirit and the joints from the marrow. It’s able to judge the heart’s thoughts and intentions. No creature is hidden from it, but rather everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of the one to whom we have to give an answer” (Hebrews 4:8-13, CSB).

The Hebrews writer gives us yet another Old Testament perspective of the Christian life. As we concluded in the previous post, our salvation in Christ and hope for eternal life is a reality that we should live out each day of our lives on earth.

In Hebrews 4 the Hebrews writer tells us that there is a “Rest” for God’s people to enter into. It has always been God’s plan since the Creation and still is today for His people to join Him in the restfulness of eternal life where God Himself abides (see vs. 1-4).

The Hebrews writer explained it like this: When the Israelites fled their enslavement in Egypt, though God’s word was preached to them by Moses, the first generation of Israelites perished in the wilderness because of their disobedience. The next generation of Israelites received God’s promise and entered the promised land under Joshua’s leadership but didn’t enter into God’s promised rest. The Psalmist David prophesied that the day of God’s rest was reserved for another time.

The Rest of the story is that in these last days God sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins. He was resurrected after being in the tomb for three days and returned to heaven. When we repent of our sins and disobedience and call on His Name in faith we can join Him in eternal life!

So, you enter God’s rest on the “Today” when you hear God’s voice and surrender your life to Christ in obedience to His calling.

According to the Hebrews writer, the one who enters God’s rest is the one who rests from his or her own works just as God rested from His works after the creation of the world and puts his or her life fully in God’s hands. Jesus put it like this: “Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23, CSB).

The lesson here is that once we enter into God’s rest we must remain in His rest. And, the power of God’s word can sustain us from falling into disobedience like the first generation of Israelites. The piercing and penetrating qualities of God’s word suggest truth and accuracy and can, therefore, keep us on the straight and narrow path of God’s promised rest.

Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it” (Matthew 7:12-14, CSB).

The message reiterated throughout the book of Hebrews–using various examples from the Old Testament–is that the Christian life is not automatic. Rather, it is a day-by-day experience of trusting not in our own will or good works to enter God’s promised rest but trusting in God and obeying his Word to remain in His promised rest.

So, being a Christian is not only an act of faith but a life of faithfulness!

Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. (Matthew 11:28-29, CSB)