The Promise of His Rest – Part 1a

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest. Hebrews 4:1

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‘In this life, God’s rest means peace of heart and mind amid life’s difficulties. After this life on earth, believers will enjoy eternal rest with God.’ If you are not a believer in Christ, there is no rest for you, in this life or the life to come [pause and calmly think].

Man’s endeavour to rest will be in vain if God is not at the centre of one’s thoughts and actions. Oh, you don’t think so, then take a look at Solomon – the wealthiest king of Israel and Judah. He had it all, and lost it all. Solomon says, “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” Read Ecclesiastes 1:2 (LSB). The Psalmist writes, “It is in vain that you rise up early, that you sit out late, O you who eat the bread of painful labors; For in this manner, He gives sleep to His beloved.” Read Psalm 127:2 (LSB). Listen to this, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me besides the still waters.” Read Psalm 23:2 (KJV). Beloved, divine provision of rest is a spiritual and physical gift from God, hence, the Bible says, “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.” Read Psalm 62:5 (KJV).

We can identify three types of rests from our theme text in Hebrews 4. Today, we will look at the Rest of Salvation.

The Rest of Salvation: Our theme text does not refer to Salvation directly, but it does imply that in Hebrews 4:1 & 11. The promise of God’s rest is fully realised through faith in Christ. The Bible says, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest.” Read Hebrews 4:11a (KJV). What then is Salvation? It is the “deliverance of the soul, from the power and effects of sin.” Hence, the Bible says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Read John 8:36 (KJV).

The Rest of Salvation is the work of grace and faith in God. Listen to this: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Read Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV). As believers in Christ, reconciliation to Christ is foundational to us experiencing the rest of salvation. Our sin has separated us from Christ, hence, the Bible says, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” Read Isaiah 59:2 (KJV). But thanks be unto God, “Christ came to destroy the works of the devil.” Read 1 John 3:8 (KJBV). Beloved, Jesus Christ came “That we might have life more abundantly.” Read John 10:10 (KJV). The Bible says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Read Matthew 11:28 (KJV). Beloved, we can only experience rest in Christ alone – Solus Christus!

The Bible says, “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” Read 1 Peter 2:25 (KJV). Our Father in Heaven, how grateful I am to You for Your love, mercy and grace. You are Yahweh Tsidkenu [The Lord our righteousness]. Yahweh Rohi [The Lord our Shepherd].

We write. You read. Be encouraged.