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. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: (Hebrews 4:3-6)
God has a purpose for rest. In fact, Hebrews 4:3-6 tells us the rest God wants for us is connected to the rest He took on the seventh day of creation. But God’s rest is not taking a nap or sleeping in one day until noon. God’s rest is shalom; it’s where nothing is missing, nothing is broken, and the cares and stresses of this world no longer hold you or linger over you. God was not stressed or anxious on the seventh day, neither did He see anything else was needed, because it was all fulfilled. It was all good.
However, those who do not walk in faith, those who do not believe or trust God, cannot enter that form of rest. Instead, they strive, they worry, and they are missing things they need to fulfill God’s will for their lives.
The problem is that most believers only see Jesus as Lord of their spiritual life, the person they pray to, the person they read about in the Bible, and refuse to allow Him to be Lord of their everyday decisions, direction, words, and actions. The term Lord is unveiled as the Highest Authority, the Supreme Instructor, and the Provider. For us, this Lordship means complete surrender, where His words and His way lead and guide everything in our lives. When we live that way, we can truly enter the rest that God has set for us.
Practical Application
Have you been worrying a lot? Stressing about how certain things are going to be done? Maybe there are areas you haven’t given over to His Lordship. Ask God about what you’re facing. Get His view of things; then you will be able to rest. Listen to His voice, follow His Word and rest in Him.