Two Kinds of Rest – Earthly Rest with God & Eternal rest with God

Hebrews 4:9-11

Through Christ we receive many spiritual blessings including a day of rest. In fact there are two kinds of rest – one we might call an earthly Sabbath - observed on a particular day, usually a Sunday, but technically should be a Saturday, and one that we might call a heavenly Sabbath – which is a true and lasting spiritual rest, an eternal rest, but so often we are busy about doing what is right in our own eyes, we miss the opportunity to enter into either rest. Hebrews 4:9 – 11 says that when you enter into God’s rest, you cease from doing your works; therefore strive to enter into that rest. God commands us to take a day of rest now and at some point He will call each of us to an eternal rest, but if we continue going our own way, we live a life of disobedience, doing what is right in our own eyes, and in doing so we may miss out on both our earthly and heavenly rest. We must relinquish the right to do what is right in our own eyes and be submitted to Christ. Recognize that the only valid activity that counts stems from the indwelling sovereignty of Christ.
Consider the Sabbath on earth when best observed and extend the idea to eternity, void of imperfection, and that would be heaven! The Sabbath is holy; so is heaven. It is a period of worship; so is heaven. It is for praise and for the contemplation of heavenly truth; so is heaven. The Sabbath is appointed that we may lay aside worldly cares and anxieties for a little season here; heaven that we may lay them aside forever.

Think about how we currently spend the Sabbath – in idleness; in business; in traveling; in sports & recreation; in light reading and conversation; in sleep; in visiting; in exercise; in lounging; in revelry – partying and dissipation – overindulgence – greed; in any and every way "except the right way;" in every way except in holy communion with God.

The psalmist wrote long after the days of Joshua; there is another rest, a state of blessedness, for the people of God; and this is the Gospel, the blessings it procures and communicates, and the eternal glory which it prepares for, and has promised to, genuine believers. As God finished his work, and then rested from it, so he will cause those who believe, to finish their work, and then to enjoy their rest. It is evident, that there is a more spiritual and excellent Sabbath remaining for the people of God, than that of the seventh day.

The"rest" in Heb 4:8 is rest from weariness, but the "rest" in Heb 4:9 is the nobler and more exalted "Sabbath" rest. The two ideas of "rest" combined, give the perfect view of the heavenly Sabbath. Rest from weariness, sorrow, and sin; and rest in the completion of God's new creation (Re 21:5). The whole renovated creation shall share in it; nothing will there be to break the Sabbath of eternity; and the Triune God shall rejoice in the work of His hands (Zep 3:17).

Praise Him for you are fearfully and wonderfully made!

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well! Psalm 139:14

I am doing a new thing... Isaiah 43:19

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Power & Strength from the Lord!

God wants to give you the power you need to get through every situation so that you can overcome your circumstances vigorously! He wants to make you strong regardless of your circumstances. He wants you to be confident in His strengthening power!

Trust & Rely on the Lord

Trust in the Lord and rely on His Spirit that dwells inside you. God is standing by waiting to be a friend to you, ready to be your counselor, and with open arms to be your comforter. He is your helper, your intercessor, and your advocate, and it pleases Him to do these things for you!

God Bless!

Know who you are!

God equips each of us in such a way that is unique to our strengths and abilities. Seek God on understanding who you are and who you are not. Your training and gifts and talents may be completely different than someone elses. It shows great maturity in realizing you cannot be effective trying to use someone else's gifts and talents. You can only be effective in using your own!

What are the gifts and talents God has given to you? Have you ever tried to accomplish a task with tools you were not trained to use? God allows each of us to develop skills that are unique to our life. He will not call you to use someone else's tools.

However, this is only half of the equation. These talents must be combined with faith. Talent alone is not enough. Faith alone is not enough. It is only when the two are combined that God's power is released and manifested in the physical realm.

Sometimes we admire the talents of others and seek to emulate them. The temptation arises to be someone we are not. This is a mistake. Let God live His life through the unique you.
Then, combine your unique gifts with faith today; you will be surprised at the power of God that will be manifested.

Be strong and of good courage...

Josh 1:9 reminds us............ "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Be encouraged today, this is certainly good news!!