Friday, May 12, 2017

Hebrews 4:1-13 (DB of 11/5/2017)

Thursday, May 11th 2017

STRIVE TO ENTER HIS REST

key verse: 11

The author speaks about rest in the perspective of the Old Testament and the New Testament.

1. Do not harden your hearts (1-7)

When the people of Israel heard the word spoken by Moses, they did not believe, due to their disbelief. Their hearts were hardened and they couldn't enter the rest that Moses shared in at last because of his faithfulness to God. The people heard of it, yet did not recieve it. Living in a different time, we have heard these words and believed. So we will enter his rest. The divine truth states that those who hear his words and believe will enter his rest, but those who listen yet do not believe will not enter his rest. In every age, since the creation of the world, this holds true according to the principle of God's works.

2. For the word of God is living and active (8-13)

If the day of rest referred to only the time of Joshua, God would no longer speak about it. Yet, he still tells us that his rest concerns the sabbath. Thus, we can obey him by resting on the sabbath. On this day, we hear the word of God and rest in it. We can worship God in spirit and truth. When pierced by the word of God, the human soul can experience deep rest. Our souls are fundamentally sick and only God's word can heal us. Through his word, God penetrates to the very marrow of our souls, discerning the thoughts of man. No one can hide from God. It is sometimes painful, but it leads to total delivery. It is the rest that a Christian experiences.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for accepting me in Christ, when I heard and believed, and you gave me rest for my soul. Help me to observe the sabbath in order to experience rest deeply through your word. 

Bottom line: obey his word and rejoice in His rest

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