Can I Get Some Rest?

How many times at the end of a day, have you used the following word: "I just need to sit down and rest."
How many people are looking at that hammock and instead of thinking rest, remembering all their To Do Lists for tomorrow?

In our Fast Food, High Speed Internet, Interstate Highway, Soccer Game Saturday, and I want mine yesterday world; it's difficult to get any rest.

In our lesson this week, I want us to realize that "rest" is used eleven times in Heb 3:18 -4:11. The beauty of the word is that in English and in Greek it has different meanings. The primary meaning is of God's rest - Eternal Salvation. The requirements are explained in the passage.

The Gospel united with Faith(Belief) = Rest
A Lack of Faith(Disobedience) = Shall Not Enter My Rest

The Eternal Rest for those that believe is a tremendous encouragement for us today; one which should be reflected in our lifestyle. John MacArthur's commentary on Hebrews highlights the definitions of rest (in parenthesis)

Rest means we "cease from action" any self-effort on our part regarding our salvation. This alone should relieve the pressure to perform our works for anything but the glory of God alone.

Rest means to "be free from worry." One of the biggest joy stealers in our lives today is worry, but for a believer God has freed you and I from that.

Rest means to "be settled" and "secure." We are secure in Jesus's hand and our debt has been settled. We are secure in whom we have believed and settled that He is able.

Rest means "to lean on." I can't think of anything more secure than leaning on the One that created and sustains the world. That knows everything about me; yet still desires my relationship.

4:1 "Therefore, let us fear, while a promise remains of entering His rest, lest any one of you should seem to have come short of it."

4:3a "For we who have believed enter that rest"

Here's hoping you find some rest this week in the promises of God.