One indication of unbelief is the tendency to measure life’s challenges against our own adequacy instead of God’s promises. To enter our Sabbath rest, we must put an end to self-reliance… —Charles R. Swindoll
As a parent, I’ve always hoped my kids value the things Libby and I value. Some of our values will keep them from heartache and consequences. Others will bring relational intimacy into our home. While I know part of maturing is discovering one’s own values, I still hope.
God hoped—and hopes—for His children, too. If Israel followed His lead, they’d experience Life. If they trusted Him, they would receive His promises. One of the promises was the good news of rest.
But Israel didn’t always esteem the Father’s wisdom.
Hebrews 4:2 says, 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 those who heard did not combine it with faith.
Israel didn’t have faith that God’s invitation was best for them. They heard the Good News. They considered the Good News. But they didn’t value the message. As a result, the first generation didn’t enter the Promised Land. And while the second generation entered, they never experienced God’s rest. The land was in constant turmoil as God’s children lived in cyclical unbelief.
But the story isn’t over. The promise of rest still stands as the Father has invited us into a second plan—this one better than the first. We, too, have had the Good News preached to us. Our Good News is the same, but slightly different: The Israelites were promised rest in the land, but we’ve been promised rest in Christ.
Jesus invites us to “Come to me, all you who are weary … and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
The promise of rest still stands. It is there for us, waiting for our “yes.”
Jesus, I’m weary, I’m ‘heavy laden,’ and need rest. I’m coming to You for it… Amen.