Hebrews 4:9-11 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

This chapter has more dearly-loved verses in it, some perhaps more famous than this, but this must not be overlooked, particularly in our performance-oriented society. It’s not in the least that we are to be lazy; Paul spoke strictly about that, in Ephesians 4:28 and 1 Thessalonians 4:11. At the same time, the whole Bible is very clear that we can never work our way into heaven. We’ve got to learn to “let go and let God,” as the saying goes. This passage should make it clear that trying to work our way into God’s favor is being disobedient. Not long ago I saw a brief video on the Internet by someone who said that Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21-23 had always been scary to him, making him fear being rejected at the end of life. But then he had a revelation that Jesus was saying that the things we do, even in His name, aren’t what make us right with Him, but rather humble faith. He said that now it’s his favorite passage! If we really believe that “God’s got it all in control,” as the little song says, then we will enter God’s Sabbath rest, as this passage talks about. It’s been over 10 years since God told me specifically to rest, relax, and rejoice, but we are very slow to learn to do that consistently.

This is extremely timely, because I currently have the worst cold I’ve had in years, but it’s Sunday morning and I’m the pastor! I’ve been given a message, but whether I’m to deliver it today or save it for next week and let them have a lay service this morning is something I’m not sure of. I do know that God will enable me to do anything and everything He wants me to do, (Philippians 4:13) but the question is what He wants me to do this morning. Pride is definitely a factor here, and that’s not good. I need to rest in Him whatever my body is doing, and trust Him with the outcome.

Father, thank You for this experience and everything involved in it. May I receive Your lessons with joy and do precisely what You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!