Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.

How do you tell a true warrior from a coward or a deserter? Is it their intellect, their level of training, their pedigree, athletic ability or weapons skills? No! It is what they do when the fight is taken to them. It is the manner in which they fight. Do they fight for just causes? Will they stand for the oppressed, will they see the mission through to completion?

Faith in Jesus is much the same. Faith in its essence is not a heady belief, a factual argument, or a political or logical position statement. True faith obeys even when called to walk into the fire. It trusts that the one who commands is worthy of allegiance. Questions are not asked so much to correct one’s leader as to understand and gain courage for the fight. And when the big spiritual battles come, the faithful are prepared and ready.

God’s Spirit gives us the power, strength, encouragement and sustaining resolve we need to serve him faithfully. We just have to remain in him. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬-‭8‬)

The rest of God comes in different forms: 1) It can be a Sabbath rest as described in Genesis, or 2) It can be our final rest forever in heaven with him, or 3) It can be a rest grant. This is described here: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬)

This is a powerful promise that is referenced here, of entering into his rest. This is a reward of having a soft and pliable heart willing to listen and to obey God. Hard hearts full of stubbornness and selfishness are not able to receive the rest of God. So today, we are called to band together as brothers and sisters and encourage each other to be faithful, in word and deed, to the one who calls us out of darkness and into his glorious light!

Lord, bring a revolution of active obedience to your commands. Raise up the spiritual warriors of our day. Give us resolve and fierce loyalty to serve you and, where required, to walk into the fires of life, full of spiritual courage and confidence in you.