We Who Believe Enter Into Rest

We Who Believe Enter Into Rest

“Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.” Heb. 4:11-13.

“So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Heb. 3:19.

To believe God and at the same time comprehend God’s leading is impossible. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” Heb. 11:1-2.

We read about Abraham and his faith. Years passed by, and according to our human senses it became more and more impossible for the promise in which he believed to be fulfilled. Yet he did not consider his own body, already dead, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving the glory to God. Rom. 4:19-21.

All unrest comes from people using their human reasoning instead of believing God’s Word. We learn that from Israel’s journey to the Promised Land. They were constantly murmuring. They murmured against God’s miracles, but they rejoiced when they received help. Yet in spite of all the miracles, they did not learn to believe so that God could have His way with them; therefore they never entered into rest. The only thing they obtained was a journey in the desert and forgiveness for their sins.

In Hebrews 4:12-13 we read what the Word has to do so that it can lead us into rest. First of all the Word has to divide between soul and spirit. The soul—the five senses that believe they can understand everything—creates much unrest, just as we read about Israel by the Red Sea. We need to be so humble that the Word can separate our thoughts concerning the matter so we can rest in God with our spirit. Likewise, we must let the Word divide between joints and marrow so that we can come to realize that we are not to carry out God’s will in our own strength, but that He shall instruct us and give us the strength to do His will. Then we have only to do with Him before whom all things are open.

We learn from Jesus that He did not become restless and revile in return. He was not conceited, thinking that He could judge righteously, because He was not yet perfected. Therefore He left it up to the Father to judge. 1 Pet. 2:21-23.

Further on in Chapter 4 we read that if we—in our sufferings—understand to become partakers of Christ’s sufferings, our glory will be great at His revelation. Then we can rejoice! Further on Peter mentions several different kinds of suffering, and he advises us to commit our soul to the faithful Creator in doing good. This is the only way in which we can enter into God’s rest. However, we need to humble ourselves and be meek—the very thing which Jesus invites us to learn from Him. Matt. 11:28-30.

The intention is that we are to be Jesus’ brethren, and to that end God knows what is necessary for us to be conformed to His image. Rom. 8:28-29. We do not know what we should pray for. Therefore we must not form an opinion about how God leads us, but rather rest in Him who has called us with a heavenly calling. Rom. 8:26; Heb. 3:1.

In Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 we read about how restless people are. They do not consider the fact that they need trials, and so they are restless and talk and argue. The intention is that we are to rest in God in all these circumstances and work out our salvation with fear and trembling, because it is God who is working.

Israel was stubborn, and God ceased to work so that they might enter the Promised Land. He forgave them their sins after Moses had prayed for them, yet He drove them out into the desert, and there they died. Num. 14:20-23.

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.” 1 Cor. 10:11.