Day 104/260: Read Hebrews 4

The Israelites heard the promise of rest, but their hearing was “not…mixed with faith.” They heard, but they didn’t believe, and since they didn’t believe, they were disobedient.

Belief must precede obedience, and obedience must follow belief. One cannot say, “I believe,” and not act upon that faith according to God’s will. That is not Biblical faith.

The ultimate rest promised by God was not in the land of Canaan, but eternity. This is not simply a relief from the worries and weariness of life, but a rest from the work of doing God’s will in this life.

Otis Gatewood wrote many years ago, “Did you ever try to rest when you were not tired? It is an impossibility. Heaven is described as a place of rest, and we will not enjoy it unless we are tired when we get there. Many are not going to be tired because they never ‘work’ for the Lord.”

The apostle Paul recognized that while he had breath in him, he needed to continue working, continue pressing on, continue reaching forward. “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfect; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).

Keep working so you can enjoy the eternal rest promised.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Hebrews 2:1. Therefore we must give the most ________ heed to the things we have ________, lest we drift away.

Pray

Pray for opportunities to work in God’s kingdom.