260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 208 - Hebrews 4: Rest, The Word of God & The Great High Priest

Finally – a chapter on rest! Sorry to burst your bubble a bit, but we’re not talking sleep here! The “rest” that is spoken of in these first few verses has to do with salvation. Entering God’s rest means no more self-effort in trying to be saved. It’s the end of trying to please God by our own feeble “good works.” It means freedom from worries – Yes – spiritual “Hakunna Matata!” The Israelites did not have rest, “…the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.” Why did they reject the Jesus and His Gospel? “Disobedience” and “Hardened hearts” is what we are told. Then we are warned, “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.” Verses 12-13 are two of the first verses I memorized as a young Christian. I still know them and they have taken root in my spiritual DNA! Your words, my words…..they die, but God’s don’t! Because of this, from the get go as a youth pastor, I’ve always tried to saturate my messages with God’s Words more than mine so that it will leave a mark! It’s a sword that penetrates! And as we read it, it humbles us: “Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” We end with verses 14-16, which kick off a major theme in Hebrews – Jesus is our High Priest! Priests were appointed to be mediators between God and His people. Only the High Priest could offer sacrifices for the people, once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). And Lev. 16 tells us they had to make an offering for themselves first. Day after day, year after year this process of sacrifices had to be made because the priesthood was not perfect and the sacrifices were not perfect. UNTIL JESUS! He is and was perfect and became our sacrifice once for all!!! What He had to go through in the process allowed Him to “sympathize with our weaknesses.” And “we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” What does this do? It allows us to approach our gracious God and not be fearful of punishment because Jesus took it for us! WHOOHOO!!!!! In the words of a famous commercial, “It doesn’t get any better than this!” SO WHAT?! *When are you tempted most to not believe God’s Word? When trials come? Persecution? God knows and he can be trusted no matter what. Lets pray and ask Him to do that right now! *How has God’s Word penetrated your heart? Take some time this week to share this with another believer. It’s always encouraging to hear how God is working in another’s life! *Finally, what an incredible honor & privilege it is to be able to go straight to God with our hurts & needs! He is an AMAZING High Priest and if anyone can understand, it’s God! So go to Him today, go to Him regularly and go to Him always!