Ezekiel 3:16-6:14 / Hebrews 4 / Psalm 104:24-35 / Proverbs 26:27
Who remembers the game called Truth or Dare? If you’re unfamiliar, the game is played with any number of people. Each person takes a turn being “it”. The “it” person must be asked and must answer, “Do you choose truth? Or dare?” Then that person must either answer a question truthfully, or they must perform a daring task. I’m not saying this game is always a good idea! Sometimes it can cause embarrassment and/or physical harm lol!
The truth part of the game can be both revealing and scary. None of us fully exposes our hearts to others for fear or being rejected when we’re fully known. If each of us fully knew the other persons around us, we might be shocked, fearful, or disgusted. Or perhaps there are those who are truly honest and pure of heart, and those would cause us to experience deep conviction. That would not be a bad thing!
When Hebrews four talks about rest, which is most of the chapter, it is interesting to note that the talk on rest is followed by the role and effectiveness of the Word of God. Upon first reading, I wondered why one would follow the other, but as I read through a commentary, I realized the reason. Just like the game of Truth or Dare above, those around us are not always aware of the hidden things in our hearts; neither are we always aware.
So, while we may believe we have entered rest, or that those around us have entered God’s rest, the Word of God is the light to expose and instruct us on where our trust lies. What do I mean by that? Hebrews 4:1 inthe New Living Translation (NLT) states: “Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.”
Verse one tells us that it’s possible to miss the rest of God. We may miss His rest either by ignorance or deception. Once we know what it is to enter His rest, we have a choice. We may accept or reject what He has provided. I’ll talk more on that in a minute. The deception comes when we say we are resting, but within our hearts is a wrestling match that we don’t want anyone to see. We may do this because we want to appear as holy and mature. It would be better for us to appear as we are so we may grow.
And don’t fear appearing as you are because both your Father in heaven and those who truly love you will be grateful for your courage and will fight to partner with you in your spiritual growth.
What is the rest of God, and how do we know we have received that rest? God rested on the seventh day of creation because His work was finished. (Hebrews 4:4). When the Father sent His Son Jesus Christ to the earth, He sent Him to complete a work. That work was to go to the cross and shed His blood so our sins would be forgiven, and we could be reconciled in relationship to the Father. Jesus completed that work.
Jesus both paid for our salvation, and He keeps us firmly in His hand. He has completed all that needs to be done for our right standing with the Father. We have no work to accomplish toward this task. Our rest comes when we receive the fact that Jesus paid it all. Finished. Completed. Nothing for me to do, except trust Him, believe Him and enter His rest. Did you notice we enter “His” rest? It is a rest He has provided; all I must do is walk through the door and it is also my rest.
Then comes the role of God’s Word in calling us into the rest (see Hebrews 4:12-13 for the role of the Word). If we are tortured by fear, worry, or sin, we have not entered the rest Jesus Christ gave us. This is not to condemn anyone; this is to offer an opportunity to receive what He has done. nd live from a place of victory instead of a place of needing to accomplish just “one more thing” so I can be righteous.
You are righteous through Jesus Christ. You are free in Him. You have rest, forgiveness, peace, and safety in Him. It is finished. I implore you today to enter His rest. Just find the door – Jesus – and walk through. Sit down, grab a glass of water, and listen to His beautiful, life-giving Words. Enjoy His rest today.
