Resting in Him

The “Preacher” who wrote the book of Hebrews must have been tired. After all, it doesn’t take him very long at all to start talking about rest. Beginning in chapter three and into chapter four, he uses the word rest about a dozen times. 

Are you tired? I am. In fact, in preparing for a recent sermon dealing with what the Preacher of Hebrews tells us about rest, I made a list of reasons that I’m tired. Here are a few of my thoughts (Not all-inclusive, and I’m sure you have a list as well).

I’m tired…Of not being with ALL of my Church family in one assembly. I’m tired of Covid-19, hearing of loved ones who are sick because of it, what it has done to our society, our economy, our economy, many of our marriages, and masks. I’m tired of eating meals alone, waking up every day by myself, and coming home every night to an empty place. I’m tired of having speaking appointments canceled, not being able to see our kids in Bible classes, and not being able to hug my brothers & sisters when we gather. I’m tired of Chick-Fil-a not allowing me to go inside of any of my seventy-four “remote” offices in the Metroplex!

I’m tired of cancer, what it does to families, to the bodies of those who deal with it, and the lives it takes from us to early and often.

I’m tired of Christians who “air out” dirty laundry and get into a war of senseless words on social media. I’m tired of seeing the Body of Christ divide over issues that are not of eternal significance. I’m tired of followers of King Jesus, who are more passionate about politics than they are about their walk with God and their spiritual growth. I’m tired of Christians who walk away from their faith because they didn’t get their way at Church or because they don’t feel like they are having their personal needs met. I’m tired & I’m sure you are as well…But…

We cannot quit serving our Savior. After all, He can be trusted because He is worthy of receiving our faith, our commitment, our praise, and our love. We cannot quit. After all, He needs us to work for Him, because His people need us, and because the world needs to see us resting in Him. We cannot quit because He alone can give us the rest that we need, in time, and in eternity.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

“So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”