“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” – Hebrews 4:9
Scripture reading: Hebrews 4:1-13
In this passage the author to the Hebrews stresses that the rest God offers is still for today. Although the Lord swore the oath negatively, yet, the opposite is true too. Those who believe will no doubt enter into God’s offered rest! Indeed, those who learn to mix the Word of God with faith, while they hear it, will find rest for their souls! Those who learn to rest from their own works, will enter into God’s rest.
Although Joshua brought the people into the Promised Land, the people did not yet experience the final and full rest of God’s promises (vs. 8). You remember how the enemies had to be driven out, and were still in the land years later… No, Joshua didn’t bring perfect rest or peace. Five hundred years later David came. He wrote Psalm 95 and tells us that God has not given up on the idea of giving His people rest, but there again the rest was not final.
What rest did God promise? Temporal rest? Physical rest in Israel? No! God promises spiritual rest, true sabbath rest, eternal rest! He promises Jesus’ rest, which is better than Joshua’s! He invites us to come and rest today: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Mt. 11:28). This is the rest verse 9 talks about. A rest that points back to creation before the fall, and forward to the future, final and perfect rest in heaven, the glorious Promised Land.
Suggestions for prayer
Thank and Praise God for offering spiritual rest in Christ! Pray that you might enjoy more of this rest as you live by faith in the promises of God.
Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
