God’s desire is that you may experience His rest. Many people feel burdened by the demands of this world, but the writer of Hebrews informs us of the promise of entering His rest,

Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. (Hebrews 4:1)

This rest is available to God’s people but it is made real through faith in God. The Israelites were poised to enter the promised land, but they chose to yield to their fears rather than exercise faith in God’s promises. How often do we miss God’s rest because we settle for less than God’s best? Are you believing in God’s promises, or has your heart become hardened?

He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before,“TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.” (Hebrews 4:7)

Joshua provided physical rest from their enemies, but that was merely a shadow of the true rest that Jesus offers. There is a spiritual rest that is available to God’s people,

For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. (Hebrews 4:8-9)

This Sabbath rest is a result of a believer’s relationship with God. The rest Joshua provided was temporal, physical, and natural; whereas the rest Jesus provides is eternal, spiritual, and supernatural. It’s ironic that while the Pharisees were discussing the nuances of what constituted labor on the Sabbath, the people were burdened in their souls. Sabbath rest is not found in a day, but in a person,

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Jesus offers rest for our souls. Sabbath rest is not simply observing a special day, but sabbath rest is achieved when the heart rests on the promises of God. Our efforts to maintain certain requirements on a specific day do not earn God’s favor, this can lead us to a works based theology. We cannot depend upon our efforts to please God. We must learn to trust God and work from a position of rest to avoid burnout in our lives. Jesus revealed the true meaning of the Sabbath,

Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27)

We can learn many helpful lessons concerning rest by practicing the Sabbath and we need dedicated time to focus upon God and cease from our labors. We are no longer bound however, by the detailed rules and regulations of Sabbath keeping on a specific day of the week – you can enjoy a Sabbath rest every day of the week! Augustine taught us, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and heart can only find rest in Thee. “

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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