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The Scriptorium

Enter God's Rest

Hebrews 4 (7)

Introduction

In chapter 4, reference to God’s rest occurs no less than 11 times. Clearly, the theme of entering God’s rest is primary in this chapter, as in the entire book of Hebrews. It is God’s rest we must seek, for only in His rest will we find the fullness of life that He offers to all who believe and obey His Word. We must not be distracted into seeking other kinds of rest, for these are at best only temporary, and at worst utterly false. We are on a journey into the eternal rest of God, but we must enter that rest daily, and persevere in it.

Read Psalm 84.

Read and Meditate on Hebrews 4.

Think it through.
1.  How would you define the rest the writer of Hebrews is urging upon his readers? Keeping in the mind the various false “rests” people might seek, how would you work this idea of God’s restinto your presentation of the Gospel? The writer also says we should “fear lest any of you seem to come short” of God’s rest. Why? Entering God’s rest is not a once-for-all activity, but something we seek to realize increasingly. What does this involve (vv. 2, 6, 11, 14)?

2.  Summarize the relationship between the Word of God and prayer when it comes to entering God’s rest. Why is it a good thing that Jesus has gone before us through the veil as our great High Priest? 

Meditate.
“Just as the first ‘rest’ did not prevent there being a second rest, so neither does the existence of a second rest prevent the existence of a third and more perfect rest.… Then it is clear that there is a certain other rest beyond those rests which have been spoken of, and that this rest is hallowed not for any who happen to chance upon it, but rather ‘for the people of God.’ But truly the people of God are ‘those who believe’ in him and who keep his commandments.” Photius (820-891 AD)

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3.12-14

Help me daily to press on, Lord, to enter more fully into Your rest, and thus to know …

Pray Psalm 84.1-12.
Give thanks to God for your journey into His rest, for how far you have come to this point, and for how much more of His rest awaits you day by dy.

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.

T. M Moore

A free PDF download of this week’s study is available by clicking here.

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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).It's an ongoing work of faith and obedience.

 

 

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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