ScriptureIsaiah 28:11b-13aGod will speak to this people,12 to whom he said,“This is the resting place, let the weary rest”;and, “This is the place of repose”—but they would not listen.13 So then, the word of the Lord to them will become:Do this, do that…Observation - What does it say?
God had offered rest to his people but they rejected his offer. They refused to listen. As a result, they were left with just rules and commands, hoops to jump through; rules and commands they were sure to break without the strength and wisdom provided by relationship with God.
Understanding - What does it mean?
God offers the same rest to people today, rest that only comes through relationship with Jesus.Matthew 11:28 (NLT) Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.Hebrews 4:11 (NLT) So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.
If we reject God’s offer to come to him and to enter his rest, we are left with trying to be made right with God through following his commands… something impossible for us to do. Like Israel, we will fall if we try.
God offers rest for the weary, strength for the weak, peace for the anxious, hope for the discouraged and forgiveness for the sinner. Why settle for religious do's and don’ts?!
Life Application
Don’t settle for religion without relationship!
Where have I been just going through the motions? How can I be more intentional about "coming to Jesus" and entering his rest this week?
God, forgive me for the times I go through the motions. Forgive me for turning to other things for rest. Today, I choose to come to you. I choose to seek you, to pray and worship, and to enjoy the rest that comes from being in your presence. Lord, increase our intimacy with you! Take us deeper in relationship! Show us the ways we’ve drifted and re-calibrate our hearts. May we be consumed with a greater passion to know you and make you known! Amen.
