14 day plan

Stormy Waters (Part 2)

Day 5 of 14

NIV

Hebrews 4:9-10

9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

Reflection:  I’m not very good at sitting quietly in God’s presence. Because I am an activist, I jiffle with impatience and easily get distracted. As a result, it is sometimes difficult for me to see or hear God clearly.

“Doing things” gives me the illusion that I am significant and that I have a degree of control over life. It is, of course, a false perception, one that the imminent prospect of death shines a light on rather starkly.

Activism is, I have come to realise, a toxic addiction––and deep down, I long to be free of it. I ache for that quiet place––the place I can sit with my Father.

Increasingly, these days, I do enter God’s presence… and am content to be there, without words––or perhaps ‘beyond words’ is a better description. These times have given me a love of resting with God. Certainly, the thought of entering into “God’s rest” eternally, is a beautiful thing to look forward to.

Prayer:  My Father, Please forgive my busyness when I should be still. And please forgive my stillness when I should be busy. In all things, I want to know presence. Teach me to sit at your feet and find life. Amen.

Hebrews 4:1-16

A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God

1Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. 3Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,

‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” 5And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

6Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts.”

8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

12For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.