"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalms 119:18 (KJV)
Daily Devotion in Hebrews 4
Daily Nugget:
Most know what it is like not to have rest. Constant work and daily activity can leave us tattered, harried, nervous, and without the peace we usually would have. 
The nine “rests” mentioned throughout this chapter (found in Hebrews 4:1, 3-5, 8-11) speak of a similar feeling one can experience when one does without another type of rest. Most of the references refer to a spiritual rest one has when they have done what the Holy Spirit had shown them to do. They no longer feel convicted, guilty, or oppressed by their conscience.
The rests referred to in this chapter are:
- the rest God took after He created all in our universe (Hebrews 4:4),
- the rest one has when they are saved and have peace within their spiritual hearts,
- and the eternal rest all believers will one day have when they spend eternity with Jesus (Hebrews 4:9, 10).
Until a believer goes to his eternal rest, he is to work to please God. The “guidebook” to lead one through a life that pleases God is the Word of God, our Bible. This book is not just any book. It has all God wants us to know. It is preserved, pure, and exactly how He dictated it to the men who penned it. It is the only recorded means of knowing God's mind and will.
Here are five of the reasons the Word of God should be relied on and trusted as we prepare for our eternal rest:
- It is “quick.” “Quick” means living. It is not a dead book. It is the living Word of God! It will direct us in His paths!
- It is powerful. No other book ever written has convicted and changed lives as the Word of God has. It can transform us into Christians God desires us to be.
- It is sharp. No matter how tough an individual is, the Bible’s cutting words can speak the truth to any man’s conscience and soul. Its truths will expose the real “us.”
- It pierces. It can penetrate through the outer hardness of any man and speak to their inner soul. Obeying it will help make us a new creature in Christ.
- It helps one discern truth from lies. It exposes falsehood and shows the realities as God sees them.
The only way anyone will have rest in this life, and the one to come, is to follow the guidance of God’s Word. Obedience to it is the “secret” to living a successful, restful Christian life.
Today’s Thought:
“If God said it, that settles it, whether or not I believe it!”
Today’s Reading:
Hebrews 4
1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
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.
11 ¶ Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.