"There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God." Hebrews 4:9

The writer of Hebrews reveals to us that we may enter into a Sabbath rest as the people of God. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Resting in the lord. Perhaps you like me long to live in that state of rest, but do not know how. In this devotional we are going to find how.

The Holy Spirit gives us answers in Hebrews 3:7-12. We find a hardened heart will cause you to go astray from God and His ways resulting in disobedience. The other is unbelief, or an unbelieving heart. Hebrews 4:2-3 states:

"For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the Word did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "As I swore in My Wrath, they shall not enter My rest."

It always comes down to daily choices doesn’t it? Our free will to choose defines the life we live out daily on this earth. God has provided everything we need in His Word, but it profits nothing if we don’t read and obey it. There is a Sabbath rest in abiding in His Word and obeying His ways. Hebrews 4:12 is our Biblical definition:

"For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than a two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

The next verse tells us there is nothing hidden from the sight of God, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him. These are very sobering truths.

May we heed the Word of God today in each of our lives and take it before the Lord in prayer and humility. We must humble ourselves before Him with true repentance for disobedience and unbelief. Also for living with divided hearts not totally His, but half filled with the willfulness of our flesh resulting in dead works. The words we hear profit nothing because it isn’t united with faith. We don’t truly believe. We are just hearers and not doers of the Word. In Isaiah 30:15 God, the Holy One of Israel speaks:

"In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength."

His way is the only way to find the promised Sabbath rest for his people. May we pursue it with all our hearts. If so, He will let Himself be found. (Jeremiah 29:13)
In His love.

Teresa Roberts

Masterpiece Fitness

www.masterpiecefitness.com

276-237-6680

Hilton Head and Daufuskie Islands in SC afforded rest for my soul this past week with fellowship and immersed in the goodness and glory of God, which are one and the same.