"Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain. [Therefore,] it is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows ... for so He gives His beloved -- sleep." (Psalm 127:1-2)
When we have asked Jesus to be Lord in our life, we no longer have to fear, because we can be assured that He who loved us from the very beginning journeys with us in whatever we do.
Indeed, because of the love that our Lord God bestowed upon us -- when He became our Saviour on the cross -- we are instructed to labour to enter into His rest. Hebrews chapter four elaborates on this point, but the writer here discerns between the "rest" spoken of in the old covenant and the rest later in the new. This is important to understanding the difference between the two covenants.
The first -- known as the old testament -- was a covenant of Law. This covenant changed when our Lord God and Saviour shed His precious holy blood on the cross, renting the veil in two from top to bottom. This is why we live in this dispensation called grace.
Therefore, from the time of the cross going forward, we can now enter into a personal relationship with our Lord God directly because of the sacrifice He willingly made on the cross. He who knew no sin became sin for us. A sacrifice that was decided even before the world was formed. The greatest love story ever told.
But in order for us to enter into His rest, we -- as believers in Jesus by faith -- need to seek His righteousness with all our hearts, souls, mind and strength. We need to study the Word to show ourselves approved, as a workman should -- so that we can know Jesus as our personal Saviour, and become learned in His truth.
"There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4:1-8)
Why is this critical?
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:15)
Let him who hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
Indeed, because of the love that our Lord God bestowed upon us -- when He became our Saviour on the cross -- we are instructed to labour to enter into His rest. Hebrews chapter four elaborates on this point, but the writer here discerns between the "rest" spoken of in the old covenant and the rest later in the new. This is important to understanding the difference between the two covenants.
The first -- known as the old testament -- was a covenant of Law. This covenant changed when our Lord God and Saviour shed His precious holy blood on the cross, renting the veil in two from top to bottom. This is why we live in this dispensation called grace.
Therefore, from the time of the cross going forward, we can now enter into a personal relationship with our Lord God directly because of the sacrifice He willingly made on the cross. He who knew no sin became sin for us. A sacrifice that was decided even before the world was formed. The greatest love story ever told.
But in order for us to enter into His rest, we -- as believers in Jesus by faith -- need to seek His righteousness with all our hearts, souls, mind and strength. We need to study the Word to show ourselves approved, as a workman should -- so that we can know Jesus as our personal Saviour, and become learned in His truth.
"There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4:1-8)
Why is this critical?
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:15)
Let him who hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
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