Let us therefore strive to enter that rest (II) Diligent rest

The paradox in the title of this post is perhaps best seen in the context of the quote which says “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:9- 11). We are told that are three interrelated ways the Israelites of old did failed to exercise due diligence. They were disobedience (Hebrews 4:11), they had an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God (Hebrews 3:12) and their hearts were hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13).

Part of this was that they did not enter the promised land when they were told to, and they tried to enter when they were told not to (Numbers 13 and 14). The unbelief came out of fear of the in inhabitants of the land, and the hardness of heart came in terms of their wilful disobedience in seeking to enter when they were told not to. I have seen this many times in Christians doing works the Lord had to not called them to, and not doing the works He has. I have been there at times too! However, it is only as we have rest from such works (verse 10), that we can enter into His rest and operate out of it. Operating out of His rest means that we move when He says to move, and stand still when He says to stand still. In other words when we are operating moment by moment in complete dependence on His guidance and leading.

And this only really works, when we know who we are, and we know whose we are. And we need due diligence in this, for as with Jesus the Evil One comes along and tempts us to forget these things. In the words of a chorus that is popular at the moment “I’m no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God!” As children of God we have authority over all the works of the evil one. And it is our identity many times, that the Evil One seeks to attack, casting doubt in subtle ways. As with Jesus he comes and whispers in our ear “if you are a child of God… “ (Matthew 4:3). Jesus answered by quoting Scripture. And it is no coincidence that the very next verse (after Hebrews 4:11) tells us that the Word of God is living and powerful and cuts both ways in terms of our inner temptations and our outer challenges.

Father, the due diligence of which we speak, has a lot to do with staying vitally connected to You, knowing who we are in You, knowing our authority and knowing that “If You be for us, who can be against us" (Romans 8:31). Due diligence Lord has to do with keeping short accounts with You, confessing when we need to, and coming boldly before the throne of grace to obtain mercy and help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Thank You Lord for Your care and concern, thank You that You are far more interested in us coming into life in all its fullness that we could ever be. Thank You that our walk moment by moment in obedience is the safest place in the universe in Jesus Name Amen