Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.” Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
We see here evidence of two kinds of rest: God’s rest and Sabbath rest. This is to be distinguished from the frequent rest and laziness of the sluggard, as mentioned here: “How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:9-11)
So it is clear that rest on earth without entering into God’s rest is not a rest of sustaining value. Our souls are restless in sin without the saving work of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Rest is restless in this world without Jesus. This is why we see people go in one of two directions in life at different times: a) They work and work and become workaholics because they want a distraction from the restless life under the control of sin in which they live. Value in their minds is bsed on income and things. b) They work to rest and enjoy vacation, so the meaning and value in life is derived on how many trips they can take.
But the two-fold, complete rest of God is fundamentally different from the mirage of rest this world offers. First, I enter into God’s rest by believing in the name of Jesus Christ and following him as his disciple. This rest is a Rest of Residence, so to speak, for the soul. This is the type of rest that King David the Psalmist spoke of here: “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” (Psalms 27:1-5)
And the second type of rest is a planned rest to honor God and spend time with him. It is called a Sabbath Rest. This rest is important because it refuels me and refocuses my heart on the things of primal importance to the heart of God.
Sometimes I cannot take a Sabbath Rest. When traveling (or if in a war-torn country fleeing for one’s very life) this rest is not available.
There is another type of rest Jesus gives me in these times. I call this a Rest Grant. It 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)
Thank you, Lord, for giving me Residence Rest in you when I decide to believe and follow you. You also ordain a Sabbath Rest each week as a planned rest, and a Rest Grant when we cannot take a break or are overwhelmed in life. You are the God of true rest! May many around me come to know the incredible rest you have in store for them.