If you’re the parent of young children, you know the word “rest” sounds like a distant memory. It’s fleeting for you, and you wonder if you’ll ever be able to rest again. If it’s not burning the candle at both ends to get it all done each day, it’s lying awake at night worrying about something. But that rest is only a glimpse of the rest our author describes, the rest God promises and hopes for us.
Have you made an intentional attempt at resting each week? God set the prime example for us when he created the world and then rested. God knew we would benefit so much from rest. More importantly, God wanted us to stay close to Him, and this gift of rest is meant to keep us connected to our Creator. Our author has some startling things to say about our resting.
For one thing, we’re told not everyone will find or take advantage of God’s gift of rest. It’s a bit daunting that “only we who believe can enter his rest.” It sounds like many will miss out on God’s offer of rest, of total harmony with Him, all because of disobedience. God won’t give up on us, as is evidenced by the references used by our author. God rested, and he wants that for us, too.
While verse 12 might seem out of place here, I think it’s totally on point. The Word of God is exactly what we should dive into during our times of rest. Getting to know the heart of God is achieved best when we find Him on the pages of Scripture. God reveals Himself to us anew each time we open His Word.
I’ve quoted verse 12 when teaching classes to children about the authority and importance of the Bible. It reads, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” While we are privileged to have access to the Bible, God’s Word goes much deeper. God can speak to us in so many other ways, and those messages are just as precious and life-changing.
What do you picture when you think of a sword? If you’ve read these verses before, the Bible may immediately come to mind. In this moment, imagine a sharp weapon. While a sword can be deadly, think of how it exposes what’s hidden inside. God’s Word does that. Not only does it expose our innermost thoughts (yikes!), but we can also see inside the heart of God and his desire for us in the pages of Scripture. What better place to rest than in God’s Word!
Do you ever feel intimidated when you realize you can’t hide from God? You can put on a happy face and fool friends and family, but God sees your pain. You can try to hide your sinful behaviors, but God sees. God even knows our thoughts and desires when they are pure and impure. I have memories of hiding in my closet as a child to pick my nose! My mom didn’t like it when I explored the contents of my nose, so disrespecting her was the “sin” I thought I was keeping a secret. We’ve all done something we’re not proud to admit, but the good news is that God loves us still.
We can be reassured by this reference to Jesus: “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” Don’t let that truth get lost in the noise. Jesus understands it all. Everything. He may not have slipped into sin himself, but Jesus knows the struggles and temptations we face.
What should we do when we feel like life is crashing in on us? Where should we run when we feel fear, worry, or sadness? “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Can I get an “Amen!”?
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, I come to you today, humbled and grateful. Thank you for what you endured, for all that you experienced as my Savior. You understand all that I’m going through. Help me to have discernment and guide my feet, my words, and my actions. Help me to trust you completely and stop trying to rely on my own strength. I want to take a deep breath and accept your promised rest. Thank you for that gift. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
