By robin davenport, Guest Writer

Today’s Treasure

So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

Hebrews 4:6-11 NLT

God called and delivered His children out of the bondage of Egypt into His rest, yet they disobeyed Him in the wilderness and were not permitted to enter the promised land. God continued to sound the invitation to enter His rest. Through David, He gave the invitation to hear his voice and avoid a hard heart. Joshua was given the task of leading the children of Israel into the promised land, yet he did not succeed in giving them God’s rest.

There is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. How do we enter that special rest? Jesus said:

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.

Matthew 11:28-29 NLT

Jesus calls us to come to Him, yoke up with Him, and let Him teach us. In response, he gives us rest through an easy yoke and light burdens. He forgives our sins, fills us with the Holy Spirit, and gives us eternal life.

LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT

I get so weary at times. I find myself overwhelmed with responsibilities, grief, chronic pain, restless nights, fear, feeling inadequate, and the list could go on. If I did not experience weariness and heavy burdens, I would not understand the need for rest.

When we feel weary, we have a choice. We can continue to try to do life carrying our own burdens, or we can find rest in Jesus. Rest from the torment of sin. Rest from our shame and guilt. Rest from the need to earn our way into eternal life through our works. Rest from trying to earn God’s love and acceptance. Rest from uncertainty about our eternal destination. Rest from the wrath of God. Rest from fear. Rest from weariness and heavy burdens.

Can you hear Him? He is calling us to come, yoke up with Him, and learn from Him. The invitation to enter His rest is still open. Experience the peace and calm that comes from sitting at His feet. You are safe with Him. He wants to walk beside you and teach you His ways. He wants you to cease and be still. He has so much to share with you as you walk with Him in this life, and He has prepared a place for you in Heaven where you will find rest throughout eternity. There remains a special rest for the people of God.

PRAYER

Father, Our hearts soar with gratitude for Your invitation to come, yoke up with You, and learn from You! Thank you for the gift of rest. Thank you for rest in this life and for the promise of the special rest that remains for Your children. When I get weary, call me to You so that I can walk with You and learn from You. For it is in You that I find rest.

In Jesus name. Amen

Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.

Subscribe to Daily Treasure and have devotionals like this one delivered to your inbox.

Contact Sharon with comments or questions at d ailytreasure@markinc.org.

The Rest that Remains