TGIF

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Hebrews 4:9-11

Do you get tired of hard work? Particularly, of the hard work of following Jesus? It isn’t easy to resist the temptations of the world. It isn’t easy to courageously live out His ways in a world that hates the things of God. It isn’t easy to keep serving people week in and week out.

Do you feel the weight sometimes?

I feel it when I wake up in the morning. As I think about what the day looks like ahead, with all its challenges. As I remind myself, be patient today, be self-controlled. I feel it as I look across at my Bible, it would be so easy not to read it today.
 
I feel it as I open my Bible and struggle to focus. I feel it as I turn to God in prayer and get distracted.

I feel it when I turn on the TV and look for a show to watch. I feel it when I hear about that person in need.

I feel it in my fingers… no wait, that's just a song.

Not a day goes by really, when I don’t feel the weight of following Christ.

But today, I’m reminded. I’m reminded that my salvation is not based on my perfect obedience. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

And I’m reminded of the eternal rest that Hebrews speaks of. That day will come when resisting sin will no longer be hard because sin will no longer be present.

Come Lord Jesus.

For Today:

• Do you feel the weight of following Jesus?
• Do you need to lay your sins and failures on Him?
• Do you look forward to the rest that will be eternal life?

 
Pray:

• Praise the Father for His promise of rest. 
• Give thanks for Jesus Christ who did the work of obedience so that we might find rest in Him. 
• Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others to keep following Him faithfully as we look forward to the rest to come.