the promise of rest


God’s promise that we may enter his place of rest still stands. ...
We who believe are entering that place of rest. [Hebrews 4:1,3 GW]


The writer continues to teach about this idea of rest and how it is dependent on faith and trust. This idea seems to be prominently important to him. It makes me wonder what it means to rest. The Jews were commanded to rest on the Sabbath. Is this the promised rest or is it something else?

I think that the promised rest is not a Sabbath rest in the sense that we take a day off during the week. Not that there is anything wrong with resting our bodies from the rigors of work. I am thinking that this promised rest is spiritual in nature. And gained when we stop trusting ourselves.

I have entered into such a rest. Not that I permanently stay in that rest. My experience is that rest grows as I continue to cede control of my life to the Lord. I have found that the promise of rest only comes when I trust the Lord instead of myself. For me it has been a matter of letting go of control.

Once again Lord, I proclaim my trust that you will work everything together for my good.


... this devotion is part of a series about the book of Hebrews.

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