Hebrews 4:9-11 (AMP): So there remains a [full and complete] Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has once entered His rest has also rested from [the weariness and pain of] his [human] labors, just as God rested from [those labors uniquely] His own. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience [as those who died in the wilderness]
Someone once described God’s rest as God’s plan for your life.
God had a plan for Israel as a nation after rescuing them from the hand of their slave masters in Egypt.
Exodus 19:4-6: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’…..(NKJV)
His plan was for them to become people who were set apart to Him and agents of revealing His glory to the world.
If they diligently obeyed Him and lived how He wanted them to, they would prosper, enjoy a close relationship with Him and nations around them would see His glory in their lives. His plan for them was rest for their souls.
Sadly, Israel did not trust or obey God. They disobeyed him in the wilderness by doing evil things.
They also failed to trust His plan for their lives by complaining and seeking alternatives. They never believed anything God said about them. Because of their attitude, they lost the chance to be what God wanted them to be. (Numbers 14:22-23)
Right now, God has called you, yes you, to be His holy priest, a peculiar person to Him. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (NIV)
He has a perfect plan for your life and that plan is rest for your soul.
He is calling you not to look at your circumstances, He is telling you not to be conformed to the way the world thinks, He is saying: do not be wise in your own eyes.
He is calling you to obey His commandments and follow His guidance. He is saying: believe me my child, every promise I have made to you is true, don’t be afraid and don’t seek alternatives.
If you listen to Him, you would enter this blessed state of rest and in this state of rest, there would be no striving, all you would experience is His peace, His love, His nearness and prosperity for you life.
So what next: “make every effort to enter that rest of God, to know and experience it for yourself” (Hebrews 4:11)
PRAYER: Dear Lord, I am happy to know that there is rest for my soul. From today, I surrender my life to you. I exchange my ambitions, my disobedience and my unbelief for your rest. Help me to become who you want me to be in Jesus name. Amen.