Work at Resting - Pastor Kristin

Hebrews teaches a principle that at first glance may seem confusing but is one of the most important truths to our relationship with Christ.    So many times our walk with the Lord is focused on yielding but this chapter is about us going after something aggressively.  This is how different translations word it.  We must labor, strive, be diligent, do our best, and keep at it.  And what is it that we should be so diligent to go after … rest.  It seems like an oxymoron but we have to strive to rest. 

Hebrews 4:11 (kjv) "Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief."

So how do we enter into the rest?  Believing daily God meets our every need.  I love how the amplified Bible puts it…

Hebrews 4:2 "For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; ^[neither were they united in faith with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe). ³For we who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God) do enter that rest, in accordance with His declaration that those [who did not believe] should not enter when He said, As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest; and this He said although [His] works had been completed and prepared [and waiting for all who would believe] from the foundation of the world."

We have to work at resting in God’s complete and prepared work for our lives. Many times there will be things that will make us feel unsure but we have to push past the uncertainties into the rest of God. 

Before my life began

I was in Your hand

For every provision You already paid the price

I have been put into the all sufficiency of Christ

What can keep me from entering in?

Is it weakness or sin?

No only my unbelief

Can be the thief

I will not let doubt have a voice

Resting in You is my choice