Hebrews 4 (6)

Introduction
The Word of God shows us the rest He has prepared for us, illuminates whatever obstacles in our souls may be keeping us from entering that rest, and guides us along the path of faith and obedience. But the Word must be coupled with prayer if we are to connect fully with Him Who alone can bring us into the rest of God. He will deliver us from the allure of false rests as we seek Him diligently in prayer.

Meditate on Jeremiah 29.11-14.

Read Hebrews 4.14-16.

Think it through.
1. As we read and ponder it, the Word of God reveals the depths of our soul, where we discover many things that might discourage us from entering God’s rest. But Jesus has gone before us into God’s rest. We are seated with Him, and our lives have been hidden with Him (Eph. 2.6; Col. 3.3). How should this encourage us to persevere in seeking God’s rest? What is the confession to which we must “hold fast” if we are to enter God’s rest? How does Jesus our High Priest help us in holding fast to this confession?

2.  Jesus our High Priest rules at the right hand of God (Ps. 110). He understands us. He knows what it’s like to be tempted. But to be tempted – even to be tempted to seek rest somewhere other than in God – is not sin. Temptation can leadto sin, but not necessarily so. Whenever we find ourselves in temptation, what should we do? We want to grow through temptation into greater degrees of sanctification, and not fall through temptation into sin. But if we fall through, what should we do (1 Jn. 1.8-10)? The place where Jesus rules is a “throne of grace.” Why is that important to know? What’s the difference between mercy and grace? Why is Jesus able to facilitate these for us?

Meditate.
“The believers at that time were subjected to constant billowing by trials; so he consoles them by bringing out that our high priest not only knows as God the weakness of our nature but also as man had experience of our sufferings, remaining unfamiliar with sin alone. Understanding this weakness of ours, he is saying, he both extends us appropriate help and when judging us he will take our weakness into account in delivering sentence.” Theodoret of Cyr (393-466 AD)

f we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1.8-10

Lord Jesus, lift me into Your Presence! Cleanse and renew me, and send me out in Your Name today to …

Pray Psalm 84.1-12.
As you pray, envision the heavenly court and the throne of grace where Jesus reigns. Let your prayer and singing swell with joy as the Lord receives You into His Presence.

Psalm 84.1-12 (Holy Manna: Brethren, We Have Met to Worship)
Lord of hosts, how sweet Your dwelling; 
How my soul longs for Your courts! 
Let my soul with joy keep telling 
Of Your grace forever more. 
Like a bird upon the altar 
Let my life to You belong. 
Blessed are they who never falter 
As they praise Your grace with song!

Blessed are they whose strength is founded 
In Your strength, O Lord above. 
All whose hearts in You are grounded 
Journey in Your strength and love. 
Though they weep with tears of sadness, 
Grace shall all their way sustain. 
In Your presence, filled with gladness, 
They shall conquer all their pain.

Lord of hosts, my prayer receiving, 
Hear me, help me by Your grace! 
In Your courts I stand believing; 
Turn to me Your glorious face! 
Lord, our sun, our shield, our glory, 
No good thing will You deny 
To those who proclaim Your story, 
And who on Your grace rely.

Refrain

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.