A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God

Hebrews 4:1-13 New International Version (NIV)

4 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. 2 For 
we also have had the good news proclaimed to 
us, just as they did; but the message they 
heard was of no value to them, because they 
did not share the faith of those who obeyed.
3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, 
just as God has said,
“So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They 
shall never enter my rest.’”
And yet his works have been finished since 
the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere 
he has spoken about the seventh day in these
words: “On the seventh day God rested from 
all his works.” 5 And again in the passage
above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6 Therefore since it still remains for some to 
enter that rest, and since those who formerly 
had the good news proclaimed to them did 
not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God 
again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” 
This he did when a long time later he spoke 
through David, as in the passage already 
quoted:
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden 
your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God 
would not have spoken later about another 
day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest 
for the people of God; 10 for anyone who 
enters God’s rest also rests from their works,
just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, 
make every effort to enter that rest, so that no 
one will perish by following their example of 
disobedience.
12 For the word of God is alive and active. 
Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates 
even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; 
it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. 
Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the 
eyes of him to whom we must give account.

I personally feel like the commandment to “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you” (Dt. 5:12) has slowly faded away in our culture. Believe me, I know it is difficult finding any time away from your studies and activities, let alone a whole day! Nevertheless, God commanded it so we need to obey it. Keeping the Sabbath doesn’t mean strictly not doing your homework on Sunday…It also means to take some of that day to spend with God. Read your Bible, take a walk in God’s beautiful creation, pray. All of these are great ways to grow closer to God. Two of the verses from above really stand out to me, verses 11 and 13. “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience” (Dt. 4:11). This sentence puts into effect how serious God is about keeping his commands. It basically screams “learn from others’ pasts and do what I say or else!” The last part of this scripture that I want to highlight is verse 13. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes
of him to whom we must give account” (Dt. 4:13). I love the phrase “everything is uncovered.” There is no hiding our sins from God, He knows everything we do. During this time of Lent I challenge you to be more intentional about the time you spend with God and to grow into a deeper relationship with our Lord and Savior.

Hanna House is a sophomore majoring in communication at Southwestern College.