Hebrews Chapter 4
The Promise of Rest
1 Let’s be alert so none of us even looks like we’re coming short of a promise he left behind about “going into his rest.” 2 We’ve had good news presented to us just like they did. But what they heard didn’t do them any good because they didn’t combine hearing with believing. 3 We who believe do go into rest like he said,
“As I swore in my anger,
‘They are not going into my rest!’” [Ps 95:11]
He finished his work when he founded the world. 4 In one text it says of the seventh day,
“On the seventh day God rested from his work” [Gen 2:2];
5 and in this place,
“They’re not going to go into my rest!” [Ps 95:11]
Heb 4:1-5
6 Since there’s still a rest for some to enter, and since the ones that received good news before didn’t enter it because they disbelieved, 7 he established another day, “Today.” He said at David’s time much later like he’d said before,
“Today, if you hear him speaking to you,
don’t harden your hearts” [Ps 95:7-8].
8 If Joshua had given them rest, God wouldn’t be talking after that about another day. 9 So there’s still a rest for God’s people. 10 Whoever rests from his work has rested like God did. 11 Let’s be diligent then about going into that rest so none of us fall after the same kind of disobedience.
God’s Living Word
12 God’s word is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. It cuts through to the separation of soul and spirit, and bones and marrow; it judges a person’s inner thoughts and intentions. 13 Nothing created is hidden from him; everything is naked and laid bare to the eyes of one we’re dealing with.
Heb 4:6-13
Our Great High Priest
14 We have a great high priest that’s passed through the sky, Jesus the Son of God. So let’s hold onto what we’re committed to. 15 He’s a high priest that can sympathize with our weaknesses because he has faced every temptation we have, but without sinning. 16 So let’s boldly draw near to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace when we need it.