HIS REST STILL STANDS
Carey Madding
Today’s Scripture: “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.” Hebrews 4:1, ESV
Theme: Sabbath is not an antiquated idea which we no longer need; it is an enduring practice and Commandment.
WARPED PERSPECTIVES
If you asked me, I would say that I faithfully and correctly honor the Sabbath. Mike and I have served on church staffs for so long that we feel like the Old Testament priests, Levites, and gatekeepers who honored the Sabbath by their acts of service. We spent every Saturday and Sunday in leading others to worship and hear from God, Then, on Sunday afternoons, we always rested: napping, eating leftovers, and just chilling.
However, I was challenged this week that, “You never stop.” It was not said as a compliment! I was on a mission trip and felt that I only had a few days to really help that team, so I worked hard. We prepared a meal for a pastors’ and wives’ lunch; then we cleaned up the kitchen and the meeting area. When a team left, we scrubbed the bunk houses, and we spent days washing and hanging linens out to dry! We also talked, shared, and prayed about vision, mission, purpose, and more. It was hard work. So, though I felt I should work hard and serve during this very short opportunity, it was too much for my hostess. She was missing the peace she needed because I was overly zealous.
HOW TO REST
Most of the time, I do know how to stop. We rest on Sunday. Plus, since we work on weekends, we have other days of the week off. On them we may say, “I know the house is a mess, but we need a whole Sabbath” (as opposed to just Sunday afternoon). Or “I know there is a lot to be done outside, but it can wait until tomorrow. Let’s rest with each other and take a Sabbath today.” When we first moved into our tear-down house, we would take a cup of coffee out on the porch, turn our backs to the house, and remind each other: “Don’t look behind you. There is so much to do, but let’s rest.” And remember, it’s not enough to not do anything. You must turn your attention back to God and find your rest in Him.
“FAILED TO REACH IT”
When I look at the verse of the day, Hebrews 4:1, it at first sounds like we need to strive to reach God’s perfect rest. If we can “fail” to reach it, it makes me think maybe we didn’t try hard enough. Yet that is not what it means at all. Verse two goes on to explain: “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” (Hebrews 4:2, ESV). They didn’t enter into God’s rest because they did not have faith. Hebrews 3:18-19 (ESV) confirms this: “And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.” For me this is a reminder that Jesus is enough. Faith in Him is all that is needed...to be at peace, to enter His rest, to quit striving to do for Him or others, to feel accepted and loved for who we are, not what we do.
Make It Personal: How do you take time to enter into God’s Sabbath rest? What do you need to turn your attention away from in order to focus on God, His peace, and His rest? Conversely, what task do you feel must be done to please God? Could it be that resting in Him, coming under Jesus’ easy yoke, might be the only thing necessary?
Pray: Lord, thank You that You are calling me to enter into Your rest. I know Your Sabbath Commandment is not only to honor You, but to bless and heal my life. Help me to stay committed to faith: that Jesus is all I need. That everything else – even the good things—have a time and place, but not when we should be resting in You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Read: Hebrews 4:1-11; Matthew 11:29-30; Psalm 62:5-8
Weekly Memory Verse: “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:11, ESV