Today’s Reading: Hebrews 4

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. — Hebrews 4:12

This is a common verse used in the church and it is one of my favorites. This is what makes the bible different than any other book we will ever read. It is so much more than a history book, it is alive and active in us when we take the time to truly consume it. Let’s look at this verse in the context provided by the writer of Hebrews, starting at the beginning of chapter four.

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news — that God has prepared this rest — has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath; ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. – Hebrews 4:1-3

For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from THEIR labors, just as God did after creating the world. – Hebrews 4:10a

We know from the story of creation that God rested on the seventh day. It was so important to Him, that it is the only thing He did on the last day of creation week. It signified satisfaction that the work of creation was complete and “it was good.” Not only is this a state of relaxation for God the Creator, it is also a place He has prepared for His creation since the beginning and He describes the invitation as “entering his rest” — the mansion He has prepared for us. And this invitation is made possible because of what Christ did for us on the cross, and it is extended to us if we choose to respond in faith, as mentioned in Hebrews 3.

But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ…For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. — Hebrews 3:6,14

Because He was human, experiencing suffering and temptations like we do, Jesus is able to understand our weaknesses. Just as He shared in our sufferings, He generously gives us the opportunity to share in everything that belongs to Him – to enter into His rest.

For only we who believe can enter his rest…So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” – Hebrew 4:3a,6-7

The writer of Hebrews mentions two reasons why some have not entered into God’s rest — unbelief and disobedience. Some listen to God and believe, while others hear the words of God and harden their hearts to the message. Instead of responding in obedience to God’s direction, they choose to do their own thing. They don’t share the faith of those who listen to God — absorbing His words and letting it change them.

Remember what it says:
“Today when you hear his voice,
don’t harden your hearts
as Israel did when they rebelled.” – Hebrews 3:15

God’s rest is not something we can earn by our own efforts, but is a result of our faith in God and our trust in Him — that we believe He created us, became flesh for us, died for us and rose to life for us. As we spend time reading His word, it changes us. His words are alive and powerful — sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God (4:12-13).

Father God, as we soak in your words this morning, we ask you to continue the work you started in us. Mold us and transform us into the person you created us to be. Thank you for the many times you have given us grace; thank you for the mercy we have experienced at the foot of the cross. As we sit in your presence this morning, we experience a small glimpse of what it means to enter your rest. We lay down our burdens and we submit our plans to you. We give today to you, our Creator and our Savior. Today, we choose to hear your voice and rest in you! Amen.