“Enter God’s Rest” ( Hebrews 4: 11, NIV ) by Carley Evans

God rests on the seventh day after He creates the universe, every world, every living thing, and us. God calls us to a “Sabbath-rest” of our own, saying through His Holy Spirit that “anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God does from His.” (Hebrews 4:10) God’s “work has been finished since the creation of the world.” (Hebrews 4:3) We are to “make every effort to enter that rest.” (Hebrews 4:11) Then, the author of Hebrews adds, “so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:11)

What example of disobedience? The people disobeyed by not combining the message they heard with faith. (Hebrews 4:2) They heard the good news, but did not believe it. They heard His voice, but they hardened their hearts. (Hebrews 4:7) “So we see they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:19)

The author emphasizes that entering God’s rest happens in the present — Today, in fact.

“Encourage one another daily, as long as it is Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13)

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:7,8)

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God.” (Hebrews 4:9)

Rest from your own work. Make every effort to enter the Sabbath-rest God prepares for you.