praying effectively: Enter God’s Rest (Heb.4:1-11)

(Hebrews 4:1-11)  Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,

“As I swore in My wrath,
They shall not enter My rest,”

although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this passage, “They shall not enter My rest.” 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before,

“Today if you hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that to be saved and have eternal security, one just needs to put their faith in Jesus, which is demonstrated through their desire to be obedient to God's will because they love the Lord (4:1-6)

- that we do not harden our hearts, but that we believe (4:7)

- that we are diligent to entire God's rest (4:10-11)

Today's prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your generous and eternal grace which You give to Your children.  May we look forward to our eternal rest in You, in confidence.  Meanwhile, keep us content and steadfast.  And help us to patiently rest in You while we wait for that glorious day.  Move in us to trust You more, so that You may use us as You will, all to Your glory.  Amen.