NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN: Matthew 1-3
SCRIPTURE READING
Hebrews 4:9-11 (ESV); So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for
whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us
therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
God promised the Israelites deliverance from captivity and rest in the Promised Land. And
though His promise was clear, many of the people did not take hold of it. In their unbelief
they complained and disobeyed, and an entire generation died in the desert as a result.
God’s promise of rest is withstanding. He promises a Sabbath day rest to His people.
Ultimate rest will come when He returns and enacts His Kingdom on earth, but a great
measure of rest may be found today as well! God is in the habit of meeting us where
we are at. He meets us in our felt needs – loneliness, stress, worry, insignificance,
emptiness… God has offered to give us rest from the frenzy of our own thoughts, and
from the weariness of our own self-effort. However we are subject to become like those
hardened Israelites when we refuse to believe the promises of God. Belief and obedience
may not bring about perfection to our situation, but when we trust in our God – who is
personal – we will experience His tangible presence in our lives, resulting in rest beyond all
comprehension.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1) Where do you need to experience God’s rest in your life today? Ask God if unbelief plays
a role into your lack of rest. Ask Him to reveal any other things that are keeping you
from walking into His rest.
2) In listening prayer, tell God your need and allow Him to speak into it. Ask Him to meet
you where you are at and speak to you there.
3) Ask for a filling of the Holy Spirit. Put your hands out as a sign of acceptance and spend
time receiving Him. Ask the Lord to give you the power to walk closely with Him today.
Ask Him for a great level of dependency today as you follow the Spirit’s leading and
trust in God to give you the rest that you need.
