The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Hebrews 4:11,
"Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience."
The writer of Hebrews uses the phrase "God's rest" while speaking of salvation. He uses the picture of God resting from all his works following creation week and inviting others to join him in that rest. He then uses Israel entering into the promised land as a picture of entering into his rest as symbolic of our salvation.
In the verse above "their example of disobedience" refers to the Israelites' disobedience when they failed to put their trust and faith in God, resulting in them not being allowed to enter into the promised land (into God's rest). They had to wander in the wilderness until that generation passed away, not being allowed in.
We enter God's rest (we are saved) when we follow through on something God has asked of us. In verse 14 we read that we need to "hold firmly to the faith we profess." In verse 11 he says we need to make every effort to enter God's rest, failing to do so will result in us perishing by following the example of the Israelites in the wilderness, their disobedience. So important is this, that we read in verse 1, "let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it."
"Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience."
The writer of Hebrews uses the phrase "God's rest" while speaking of salvation. He uses the picture of God resting from all his works following creation week and inviting others to join him in that rest. He then uses Israel entering into the promised land as a picture of entering into his rest as symbolic of our salvation.
In the verse above "their example of disobedience" refers to the Israelites' disobedience when they failed to put their trust and faith in God, resulting in them not being allowed to enter into the promised land (into God's rest). They had to wander in the wilderness until that generation passed away, not being allowed in.
We enter God's rest (we are saved) when we follow through on something God has asked of us. In verse 14 we read that we need to "hold firmly to the faith we profess." In verse 11 he says we need to make every effort to enter God's rest, failing to do so will result in us perishing by following the example of the Israelites in the wilderness, their disobedience. So important is this, that we read in verse 1, "let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it."
God has done all that is needed for our salvation. Jesus Christ paid for our sins on the cross. However, that payment does not get credited to our account with God unless we embrace him in faith. God's offer of eternal life to us is contingent upon our choice to place our faith and trust in him. I realize this runs counter to the theology of many these days, a theology the writer of Hebrews knew nothing of.
We have a choice to make, a choice that is available to all, and we need to make every effort to ensure we make the right choice!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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