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"The Sword and Rest" by Duane Brush
Scripture: Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, let us be terrified of the possibility that, even though the promise of entering his rest remains, any one of you might be judged to have fallen short of it; 2 for Good News has also been proclaimed to us, just as it was to them. But the message they heard didn’t do them any good, because those who heard it did not combine it with trust. 3 For it is we who have trusted who enter the rest.
It is just as he said,
“And in my anger, I swore
that they would not enter my rest.”[Hebrews 4:3 Psalm 95:11]
He swore this even though his works have been in existence since the founding of the universe. 4 For there is a place where it is said, concerning the seventh day,
“And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.”[Hebrews 4:4 Genesis 2:2]
5 And once more, our present text says,
“They will not enter my rest.”[Hebrews 4:5 Psalm 95:11]
6 Therefore, since it still remains for some to enter it, and those who received the Good News earlier did not enter, 7 he again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David, so long afterwards, in the text already given,
“Today, if you hear God’s voice, don’t harden your hearts.”[Hebrews 4:7 Psalm 95:7–8]
8 For if Y’hoshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later of another “day.”
9 So there remains a Shabbat-keeping for God’s people. 10 For the one who has entered God’s rest has also rested from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Therefore, let us do our best to enter that rest; so that no one will fall short because of the same kind of disobedience.
12 See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword — it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart. 13 Before God, nothing created is hidden, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
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Swords and rest are not two words generally found together. Where there is one, there is usually not the other. The writer of the New Testament Letter to the Hebrews draws the two together, however. God has extended an invitation to rest for His people. This promise goes back to the very first Sabbath, the seventh day on which God rested following creation (Genesis 2:2). Though some people refused to believe God’s promise and did not enjoy this rest, the promise, nevertheless, remained. This promised Sabbath-rest offers an end to “works,” with its constant efforts to earn salvation.
That is where the word of God comes in, it is “Sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). It has the power to pierce to the very “thoughts and attitudes of the heart,” exposing them as a surgeon might a malignant tumor. What rest! To know that it is not in our striving or struggle that salvation comes, but in simply abiding by faith in the Sabbath rest God offers, according to His grace and with the deep assurance of His word.
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Hymn for Today: "Let All the People Praise Thee" by Lelia N. Morris
1. O magnify the Lord with me,
Ye people of His choice.
Let all to whom He lendeth breath
Now in His name rejoice.
For love’s blest revelation,
For rest from condemnation,
For uttermost salvation,
To Him give thanks.
Refrain:
Let all the people praise Thee.
Let all the people praise Thee,
Let all the people praise Thy name
Forever and forevermore.
2. O praise Him for His holiness,
His wisdom, and His grace;
Sing praises for His precious blood
Which ransomed all our race.
In tenderness He sought us;
From depths of sin He brought us;
The way of life then taught us.
To Him give thanks.
Refrain:
Let all the people praise Thee.
Let all the people praise Thee,
Let all the people praise Thy name
Forever and forevermore.
3. Had I a thousand tongues to sing,
The half could ne’er be told
Of love so rich, so full and free,
Of blessings manifold;
Of grace that faileth never,
Peace flowing as a river
From God, the glorious giver.
To Him give thanks.
Refrain:
Let all the people praise Thee.
Let all the people praise Thee,
Let all the people praise Thy name
Forever and forevermore.
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Thought of the Day: Psalm 62:1 (0) For the leader. Set in the style of Y’dutun. A psalm of David:
2 (1) My soul waits in silence for God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
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Please Pray: That many people in Sao Tome and Principi will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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Thought of the Day: Psalm 62:1 (0) For the leader. Set in the style of Y’dutun. A psalm of David:
2 (1) My soul waits in silence for God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
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Please Pray: That many people in Sao Tome and Principi will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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