Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

Rest. What does this word bring to mind for you? A nap? A spa-day? Lounging on the beach with nothing scheduled for the day? Rest is no doubt a popular word. How many times in the last month have you confessed that you “just need some rest”? And how unattainable does rest seem? With busy schedules and never-ending lists of things to do and accomplish, it seems as though rest is like a mirage in a desert; you see it on the horizon but you’re not sure it actually exists. The Scriptures call us to a deeper rest than the physical rest you might be chasing. Rest is mentioned several times in this chapter of Hebrews and verse one refers to rest as a promise. If you notice the context and follow the cross-referenced verses mentioned in your copy of the Bible, you’re likely pointed back to Deuteronomy 1, where the author, Moses, is giving a recap of the history of the Israelites’ wanderings in the wilderness. This “rest” is actually referring to the rest that God was providing in the land of Canaan, also called the Promised Land. The Israelites took the long way to get there.

Further down in Hebrews 4, Sabbath rest is also mentioned, which is the rest that God instituted in Genesis 1; the work and rest rhythm of 6 days of work and 1 day of Sabbath rest. But what does that mean for us? Verse 9 reminds us that “there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God" (ESV). This means not only in the physical realm, as we observe rest from our work on a weekly basis and show our trust in God’s provision for us, but spiritually speaking as well. We can rest in God’s promises, regardless of our circumstances. We do that by trusting that He is Who He says He is. We can also rest in Him for our eternal security if we have called on Jesus Christ as our Savior and have surrendered our lives to Him.

I love to talk about the Lord’s provision for us and it excites me to be able to tell you that the Lord has actually made it possible for us to find rest in Him by providing the means to get there, all mentioned in this passage. First, He gave us His Word. Verse 12 says “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (ESV). God’s Word, the Bible, is different from any other book you could ever read. The Lord uses His Word to teach us about His character, how we can know Him, and how we can live for Him. Secondly, He sent us Christ as our High Priest, who can actually “sympathize with our weaknesses” (verse 15, ESV). Lastly, all of these things give us “confidence to draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Verse 16, ESV). You’ve been given an invitation to rest and you’ve been given the tools to do so. Augustine, an early church father, wrote “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in You.” This is true rest.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Do you find yourself needing rest? Physically speaking, have you established habits and rhythms to meet that need? Spiritually speaking, are you using the tools of God’s Word, trusting in Christ, and drawing near to Him to find the rest you need?
• Are you looking for rest apart from the Lord? This is a pursuit that won’t leave you filled. Take time now to pray for forgiveness and turn to the Lord, asking Him to give you what you need.

Family Devo: Hebrews 4

By: Jana Whittington

Today, let's dive into the book of Hebrews, chapter 4. It's all about finding rest in God's promises. Imagine you've been playing your favorite game all day and you're tired. In Hebrews 4, the Bible talks about a different kind of rest, a rest for our hearts. Just like you rest after playing, God offers us a special kind of rest when we trust Him. The Bible tells us that God created everything in six days, and on the seventh day, He rested. This wasn't because He was tired; it was to set an example for us. God wants us to find rest in Him. When life gets tough or when we're worried, we can trust God, and He'll give us peace in our hearts.

Now, let's talk about a special promise. In Hebrews 4, it says that Jesus is like our High Priest. He understands our feelings and struggles because He faced them too when He lived on Earth. So, when we talk to Jesus in prayer, we can be sure He's listening and helping us through our tough times. Prayer is like talking to your best friend, but even better because Jesus knows everything about you and loves you no matter what. So, when you feel worried or tired, don't forget to pray and ask Jesus for His peace and strength. He promises to be with you always. 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for offering us the rest we need. Help us trust in Your promises and find peace in our hearts. When life feels tough, remind us to talk to You in prayer, knowing that You're always listening. We love You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.