The Rest of God

“There is something about winter that is peaceful,” I observed to my husband as we drove through the countryside on our way home from church Sunday. The muted greys and browns of fields and pastures were oddly restful, the stark trunks and branches of trees a black silhouette, contrasting against the drab sky. It was as if God were giving us a respite from the bright greens and glaring sun of summer, the riot of colors in spring, and even the recent jewel-toned woods of fall. A time of reflection after the distractions and activities of the warmer months.

Last night in our Bible study the focus centered on the rest God gives to His people as taught in Hebrews 4. The consensus seemed to be that it means “resting in complete faith and confidence in God.” For instance, in the previous verses, the Bible speaks of how the Israelites failed to enter into the promised land, or their rest, because of their unbelief.

Verses 3-4 of Hebrews 4 says, “For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all His works.”

God says that all the works were finished from the foundation of the world (just as it says Jesus Christ was slain from the foundation of the world). Verse 5 refers to entering into His rest, and the next verse reminds us that the children of Israel did not enter the Promised Land (rest) because of unbelief. Verse 10 concludes, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.”

In other words, since God has already finished His works, including providing all the benefits of Jesus going to the cross-- salvation, healing, wholeness--we are to cease trusting in our works, and rely completely upon Him! For, as it says in Hebrews 4:2, the Word which was preached to the Israelites did not profit them because it was not mixed with faith! They did not enter into his rest because of a lack of faith.

God is timeless. It is always today with Him. He says in verse 7, “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” How wonderful to rest from our labors and rest in complete confidence that God has already done all the works since the foundation of the world! Our only labor is to enter with faith into that rest!