Enter Into God's Rest

The Israelites who followed Moses into the Wilderness were actively engaged in doing God's work. They were His chosen vessels. Nevertheless, Scripture tells us, The messge they heard was of no value to them because those who heard it did not combine it with faith. (Heb. 4:2 NIV)

That is a sad statement. Hebrews 11:6 enlarges the concept. It reads, without faith it is impossibel to please God. God is looking for people who believe that He is real and who will come to Him in faith. The Israelites repeatedly failed to come to Him or to ask for help. They murmured against Moses instead.

The rewards of faith are not based on actitity or great works. Faith acknowledges and accepts our inability to earn any merit before a perfect God. He calls His people to seek Him and trust Him. Today, in our time frame, our hope is to look to Jesus, to His life, His death, and His resurrection.

There remains then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work. . . . (Heb. 4:9 LB)

Originally published September 23, 1983.