HebrewsSample

Day Five: Striving to Rest

Alright, let’s break down Hebrews 4—the preacher is serving up a powerful lesson on rest. But not the kind of rest where you crash on the couch after a long day. No, this is the deep, soul-level rest that comes from stopping our endless attempts to play God, trying to control everything and everyone. The preacher’s calling us into the “Sabbath rest” that’s found in Jesus. It’s both a present reality we can experience now and a future promise we’re moving toward.

Hebrews tells us to “strive to enter that rest,” which sounds backwards, right? How do you strive to rest? The preacher’s not talking about kicking back poolside; he’s telling us to be intentional about entering into this rest. It’s a rest from trying to appease God with our works, a rest from trying to please others, and a rest from trying to be the one in control. It’s not about doing nothing; it’s about actively trusting in God’s finished work and not our own efforts.

This chapter also warns us about the dangers of unbelief. Just like the Israelites who missed out on the Promised Land because of their unbelief, we can miss out on this rest if we’re not careful. God’s Word is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.” This Word cuts deep, getting right to the core of our thoughts and motivations, exposing where we’re trying to do it all ourselves instead of trusting in Jesus.

So, here’s a question: Are you really resting in God’s finished work?

You know in that arcade game where you have to keep hitting the moles (or gophers) as they pop up, only to realize they just keep coming? That’s what life can feel like when we’re constantly trying to fix everything on our own. The preacher is urging us to let go of that hammer, to trust that God’s got it, and to let His Word do the work of shaping our hearts and minds.

Stop trying to juggle all the things that only God can handle. Sit down, breathe, and let His Word guide you into the true rest that’s been waiting for you all along.