Exhausting . . . this past week has been exhausting . . . physically, psychologically, and emotionally. But we’re recovering. Sleeping better at night . . . continuing to process the reality of a very surreal experience . . . emotions, more and more in check. But there’s still tomorrow. Don’t know exactly what it could bring . . . but to think about it too much can be kind of exhausting too. But thanks be to God . . . Who, through His word, provides safe harbor for the anxious heart . . . reminding me that, for the people of God, there is a rest which transcends our circumstance.

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His.”          (Hebrews 4:9-10)

I know the context and strict interpretation of these couple of verses concerns salvation. An appeal to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Hebrews, to recognize Jesus as God’s Son . . . God’s word in these last days to a lost and wandering people . . . One equal with God Himself, the radiance of God’s glory, the imprint of His nature . . . superior to angels . . . superior to any prior priesthood . . . superior to Moses . . . providing, for those who would believe, the opportunity to enter into a relationship with God . . . through the blood of His own blood and sacrifice . . . and thus, ceasing from striving to be “good enough” to merit the Father’s acceptance. That’s why it’s a “Sabbath rest” . . . not as much about the seventh day as about the ceasing from labors.

But I can’t help but think that this idea of a Sabbath rest is a principle applicable beyond believing unto salvation. That it is a principle to be reminded of as we work out our salvation . . . as we do life day by day . . . as we take a breath after an exhausting week . . . and hold our breath as we face a bit uncertain future. Then too, there is a rest for the people of God for the rest of the story.

Not that we put ‘er on autopilot . . . not that we curl up in a fetal position and do nothing as life happens to us . . . but that, as we move forward, we do so with the abiding knowledge that we do so not by our might or power, but by His Spirit (Zech. 4:6). That, as we take on the uncertainty of the future, we are not alone . . . that in Christ we can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Php. 4:13). And when it gets tiresome, perhaps overwhelming, we will know His still small voice whispering, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30). That there is a realization that the work is finished . . . and ours is to rest.

There is a rest . . . there is a peace that passes understanding . . . because of who He is . . . because of what He has done.

And so, I can take a breather . . . steering my heart and soul into safe harbor . . . finding shelter and refuge from the storm. Knowing that in quietness and confidence there is strength (Isa. 30:15) . . . knowing that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37) . . . knowing that we can, with confidence, “draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16) . . .

Knowing that that there is a rest . . . a rest from relying on my best efforts . . . a rest from feeling the need to be in control . . . a Sabbath rest . . . God’s rest . . . a rest for the rest of the story. Amen?