Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
“So in MY anger I made a vow: ‘They will never enter MY place of rest.’” ~ Hebrews 3:11
GOD’s rest has several meanings in Scripture:
1) the seventh day of creation and the weekly Sabbath commemorating it: “On the seventh day, having finished HIS task, GOD rested from all HIS work.” – Genesis 2:2 – If GOD HIMSELF rested from all HIS work, then it should not amaze us that we also need rest. Our times of rest refresh us for times of service;
2) the Promised Land of Canaan: 8 “Today you are doing whatever you please, but that is not how it will be 9 when you arrive in the place of rest the LORD your GOD is giving you. 10 You will soon cross the Jordan River and live in the land the LORD your GOD is giving you as a special possession. When HE gives you rest and security from all your enemies, 11 you must bring everything I command you – your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, your special gifts, and your offerings to fulfill a vow – to the place the LORD your GOD will choose for HIS name to be honored.” – Deuteronomy 12:8-11;
3) peace with GOD now because of our relationship with Christ though faith: “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’” – Matthew 11:28 – Jesus frees us from all burdens. The rest that He promises is love, healing, and peace with GOD, not the end of all labor. A relationship with GOD changes meaningless, wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose; and
4) our future eternal life with Christ: 8 “This new place of rest was not the land of Canaan, where Joshua led them. If it has been, GOD would not have spoken later about another day of rest. 9 So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of GOD. 10 For all who enter into GOD’s rest will find rest from their labors, just as GOD rested after creating the world. 11 Let us do our best to enter that place of rest. For anyone who disobeys GOD, as the people of Israel did, will fall.” – Hebrews 4:8-11 – GOD wants us to enter HIS rest. For the Israelites of Moses’ time, this rest was the earthly rest to be found in the Promised Land. For Christians, it is peace with GOD now and eternal life on a new earth later. The Good News is – we do not have to wait for the next life to enjoy GOD’s peace and rest; we may have it daily – NOW! Come on – what are you waiting for………….
O Father, sometimes we just need a place of peace and rest! Thank YOU, for providing that place for us. We all need rest LORD, from our hectic and duty filled lives. Help us each to remember that there is a place where we can go to find peace and rest beyond what we could imagine and that it is YOU, Father who is there waiting to take our burdens and carry them for us. Thank YOU for the promise of love, healing, and peace with YOU. Thank YOU for giving us a relationship with YOU that changes meaningless, wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose, and Thank YOU for the gift of eternal life. Most of all, Thank YOU for Jesus Christ.
Photo: Coeur d’Alene (Idaho)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
