Hebrews 4:9-10,
[9] There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. [10] For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Matthew 11:28-30,
[28] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Exodus 33:14,
[14] And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
The good land that God gave to Israel is not only a place of labor and battle, but also a land of rest. This spiritual rest is one of the most profound aspects of the good land. Just as the Israelites were to enter into the land and find rest from their enemies and labor (Joshua 21:44), so the Christian is called to enter into God’s rest through Christ.
Rest in Christ: In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus calls us to come to Him and find rest. This is not only the cessation of physical toil but a deeper spiritual rest. Christ, as the fulfillment of the good land, provides rest from our striving, labor, and anxieties.
Rest in the Finished Work: Hebrews 4:9-10 reminds us that there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. This rest is not only a future hope but is to be experienced today by those who believe in the finished work of Christ.
The moment we enter into Christ as our inheritance, we enter into a position of rest. We cease striving to attain God’s favor through our own effort and rest in the work Christ has accomplished on our behalf.
The Land of Rest as a Type of the Christian Life: In the good land, the Israelites were to rest from their enemies, signifying that we, too, can enjoy victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil through Christ. The land of rest represents a life of peace and contentment in the riches of Christ. In our spiritual walk, we are to cease from self-effort and enjoy the abundance of the divine provision in Christ.
Thought of the day/Main Points:
– Rest is available in Christ – Jesus invites us into a life of rest through Him.
– Spiritual rest is the result of entering into the good land – It’s a rest from self-effort, striving, and the world’s distractions.
– The finished work of Christ provides this rest – We no longer have to work to achieve; we simply enjoy the fruit of His work.
– Living in rest means living in peace and contentment – We enjoy God’s fullness as our inheritance.
Prayer Confessions:
Lord, thank You for providing a rest that surpasses all understanding, and help me to enter into that rest today.
I pray that You would strengthen my faith so that I may rest in Your finished work and stop striving in my own strength.
Lord, teach me how to cease from my own efforts and learn to enjoy the riches of Christ as my portion in the good land.
I ask that You help me experience the peace that comes from trusting in Your completed work on the cross.
May my life be characterized by rest in You, free from the burdens of anxiety and self-effort.
