Hebrews 4 - 1.22.25

Scripture

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:11, NIV).

Observation

Whenever there is a “therefore” in the Bible, we need to read the verses/chapters above it to find out what it is alluding to. Chapters 3 and 4 of Hebrews talks about the rest promised to God’s children.

Hebrews 3 ends with the solemn note that the Israelites could not enter God’s rest because of their unbelief (Hebrews 3:19). Further it says that the promise of rest was not attained by the Israelites because of their disobedience (Hebrews 4:6). Israelites had a combination of unbelief and disobedience. Though they saw God’s miraculous hand at work in the wilderness for forty years, they continued to rebel and not believe (Hebrews 3:9-11; Psalms 95:9-11). The writer of Hebrews cautions us to watch out so that none of us have a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God (Hebrews 3:12). Though Joshua took the Israelites to the Promised Land, they did not obey God in driving out the Canaanites, and in keeping themselves holy by not being unequally yoked with the idolatrous people of the land. Again the writer of Hebrews urges us to make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience (Hebrews 4:11).

Application

There remains a promise of rest for the children of God. So let us draw near with the fear of God, so that we don’t miss it (Hebrews 4:1, NKJV). We who have believed have entered that rest (Hebrews 4:3). 

It is interesting that God is not saying that we will enter that rest in future tense, when we finish our life and reach heaven. We have already entered the rest when we believed in Jesus. Yes, eternal life starts here on earth! God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Yes, we have believed in him and have received eternal life. Let us be careful not to step outside of that rest through unbelief and through disobedience (Hebrews 3:12, 4:11). 

We have rest from works required by the Levitical law for salvation. It was finished on the cross (John 19:30). He has taken the legal requirements against us, out of the way, nailing it to the cross (Col 2:14). Praise God, we have entered into God’s rest when we believed in Him. Entering God’s rest does not mean that we have entered into a period of idleness. God expects us to work and provide for our families (1 Tim 5:8). However, we are not running the “rat race”, like the people of the world, as we know that God is our provider, and has engraved us in the palm of his hands (Isaiah 49:16). He expects us to be faithful stewards of the talents, abilities and resources he has given us (Matthew 25:14-30). He also expects us to do the good works that he has planned for us before we were born (Eph 2:10). We go about our work, resting in God (Psalms 37:7, NKJV), knowing that it is He who blesses the work of our hands and gives us the results of our work (Deut 28:12).

We no longer need to be anxious. Instead in every situation, prayer and thanksgiving, we can present our requests to God (Phil 4:6). God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7).

Prayer

Father, I thank you for the rest that you have for me. Thank you for taking me into your rest, when I believed in you. Help me to understand what that rest means. Help me to not to step away from your rest through unbelief and disobedience like the Israelites. I know that I have been saved through your grace, and it is not of myself, but it is your gift (Eph 2:8). Help me to rest in you. Thank you because I can cast my cares upon you, because you care for me (1 Peter 5:7). Help me to live in a way that pleases you. Make my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you (Romans 12:1). In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Hebrews 3 - 1.21.25

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews 3:12-14 “See to it brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today”, so that none of you will be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.”

OBSERVATION:  The author of this chapter declared to the holy brothers and sisters that Jesus was their apostle and high priest, which meant that Jesus was sent by God to bear witness to what would be spoken by God in the future, and as the great high priest, Jesus became our Sanctifier, and He secured our place in heaven by His sacrificial death on the cross. 

APPLICATION: There are so many benefits that come to our life when we believe God, and put our trust in Jesus!  Through Jesus, I received forgiveness of my sins, and I gained peace with God. When I invited Jesus to come into my heart, I was granted access to the Father, and I have become a partaker, and I am able to share in all of God’s blessings as a member of His family.  And, I have hope for my future of being able to enter into eternal rest with my Heavenly Father when Jesus returns to take me home. 

But, for those who harbor unbelief due to the hardness of their heart, they are choosing to miss out on experiencing the joy and peace of knowing God, and the opportunity of entering into eternal rest.  It will not be because God doesn’t love them, but because they have rejected Him. We have an example of God’s anger against those who had hardened their hearts and rebelled against Him.  It was not a pretty sight!  He allowed them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years because of their sinful hearts, and they missed out on what God had planned for them.

PRAYER:  God, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Jesus!  Every day is another opportunity to share Your love with others. Help me to hear Your voice, and obey it. I pray You will reveal the ones You want me to pray for who have hardened their heart against You. I pray You will give me the burning desire to pray for them, and that they will come to know You, and put their hope in Jesus.  I pray You will give them a new heart, and the gift of faith to be able to enter in and enjoy the true peace that only You can provide. And to the ones who have drifted, I pray You will make me an encourager to them! I pray You will use me to guide them back to You so that they won’t have to miss out on experiencing the countless benefits of following closely after You.

- Robin Orefice

Hebrews 2 - 1.20.25

Scripture

Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT

“Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.”

Observation

In this passage, the author of Hebrews, (who is unknown, but many believe it to be Paul), is writing about the superiority of Jesus Christ over angels, and the importance of listening to Jesus. Jesus, (God in the flesh), humbled himself to become man. He lived a poor life among us. He went through all of the trials and tribulations that we go through today. There is no trial or temptation that we have gone through or will ever go through, that Jesus didn’t experience. Now “here’s the kicker”: Jesus conquered it all! He even conquered death! So, why not listen to Him? 

Application

Jesus has the answers to pass every test in life.

Do you remember the days when we were in school and we would  have that one teacher who always gave the hardest tests, and you just knew it would be a struggle to pass their class that year? Do you remember the feeling of anxiousness when the class schedule came out and you saw that you had that teacher? What would we do? I know for me, I would ask my older sisters or my friends to see if they ever had that teacher. I wanted to know what to expect. I wanted to know what was on the test. I wanted to know the answers to the test. I wanted to see if they could give me any tips that could help me ace that class that year.

Did you know that we can do the same with Jesus? Jesus has seen it all. And why wouldn’t He? After all, He is the creator of the universe. He has seen the beginning and the end. He literally lived on this earth and has come across every hardship that we face. The beauty of it all is that Jesus has all the answers to “life’s tests”. He passed life with flying colors. So much so that it earned Him a spot at the head of the class-at the right hand of God the Father, sitting at His throne. So why not seek Jesus in everything? He knows exactly what we are going through and how to overcome each situation. 

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” -John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭

Prayer

Thank You Jesus for humbling Yourself and coming into this world. You lived a poor life, died a sinner’s death, and gave up all of Your riches in Heaven for me because You love me that much. You went through all sorts of trials and tribulations, just so You could understand us more. You came out victorious so that we could have the answers to life just by simply seeking You. Forgive me for thinking that I can do it on my own. I clearly can’t. I need You Jesus. May I always seek You in ALL things. May I always remember to come back and give You thanks. May You get all the glory, honor, and praise in my life. In Your Holy and precious name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi

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