There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.  Hebrews 4:9-11

Hebrews 3:7-11, gives us a synopsis of the plight of the children of Israel in the wilderness. Paul specifically tells us why the children of Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness, and why an entire generation of unbelievers died there.

“There your ancestors tested and tried My patience, even though they saw My miracles for forty years.  So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from Me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ So in My anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter My place of rest.’” Hebrews 3:9-11

Hebrews 3:19 further states, “So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter His rest.” They could not enter into God’s “resting place” for them because of their unbelief. The scriptures make it clear that to enter into God’s resting place we must believe (And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Hebrews 11:6).

We know that the children of Israel were in route to the promise land; their “resting place,” but ended up, instead, dwelling in the wilderness. You may be asking, what exactly is God’s resting place for me? Is it a destination? Are we in route to a promise land? Of course we are, heaven; but that is not what the scripture is referring to here. Our resting place is a place where we can reside that is free of anxiety, stress and self-effort. It is a place of peace, calmness, and total dependence and reliance on God. It is not a place to visit, but it is a place that God wants us to enter in and remain there.

When we enter into God’s place of rest, we are in a place where we believe, trust and rely on God for our very existence. When we are in this place, we relinquish our will for His will. When we are in this place, we don’t try to handle our problems, we give them to Him. When we are in this place, we don’t try to figure out our future, because we know that He holds our future. In this place, we become little children believing and trusting our Father. In this place, we truly do “let go” and “let God.” Hebrews 4:10 states, “All who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. Self-effort ceases in the “resting place.”

Paul tells us in Hebrews 4:11, “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest.” How do we labor to obtain rest? It sounds like an oxymoron; doesn’t it? The labor isn’t self-effort, it is taking a stand of faith to be able to enter into and abide in God’s “resting place.” We must commit to “fight the good fight of faith.”(1 Tim. 6:12). We have to stand firm in our faith and refuse to be moved by whatever life throws our way. We must “hold fast to our confidence (in Him) which has a great reward.” (Hebrews 10:35). For our promise is this, “If we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.” (Hebrews 3:14). If we continue to have faith, if we continue to trust God from the beginning of our faith journey through to the end, we will “share in all that belongs to Christ.” And we know that, “The earth’s is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1). Therefore, if we remain in God’s rest, we will receive “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20).

You may think this is an impossible place to live. That is not true. God never instructs us to do a thing that is unattainable. Along with instructions He also gives us provisions; a way to accomplish the task. First and foremost, we must remember that He is always with us and He is always there to help us. “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”(Hebrews 4:14-16).

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

Additional scriptures for your comfort:  Exodus 33:14; Psalm 16:9; 23:1-2; 37:7; 91:1-2; 94:13; 116:7; and 132:14; Isaiah 30:15 and 32:18; Acts 2:26

If this post has encouraged you, please share a comment and/or use any of the social media buttons below to Like, Tweet, or Share this post with others. Peace and blessings!