God’s Promised Rest

Written By Betty Predmore

HEBREWS 4:1-16

(November 2)

How are you when it comes to resting? Are you intentional about setting time aside to slow down, relax, ponder, dream, and get still with God?

Sometimes life gets hectic, and the best we seem to be able to do is keep our head above the water. We swim, we paddle, but we can't take the time to just float.

God's intention for us was that we would rest. He set the example of this by resting himself. "On the seventh day God rested from his work." If God, the creator of all things, needed rest ... why would we possibly think we don't need it ourselves?

In Hebrews 4, the scriptures speak of rest. The point the writer is making is about the eternal rest believers receive. This is a promise from God, and how scary it would be to miss out on this.

This rest has been available since the beginning of creation, but time and time again, the people have missed out on it because of their lack of faith.

As this letter reached the Jewish Christians, it was a warning because some of them were on the brink of turning away from that rest in Christ and reverting back to their old ways. This is so reminiscent of the Israelites that Moses led, who turned back from the promised land.

Sometimes the struggles of the moment seemed too big, and they just couldn't see past them to God's promises, or even believe that God would fulfill his promises. Does this happen to us today?

"For all who have entered into God's rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world." (Verse 10). When we receive salvation, we rest from our labors; meaning we stop relying on our own works and rest securely in what Christ has done.

"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow." (Verse 12). God's word penetrates and exposes sinful behavior and impure motives.

Nothing is hidden from God. We can approach him boldly and in confidence as he is our High Priest. What does this mean? To the Jews, the high priest was the highest religious authority. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the nation, and only once per year.

Jesus is like the high priest in that he is the mediator between us and God for our atonement. He intercedes for us and offers us the assurance of God's grace. Unlike the high priest of the Jews, who could do this atonement process only once a year, Christ is always there, interceding for us. Every. Single. Day.

It is because of Jesus, his sacrifice and intercession, that we have the opportunity to experience God's promised rest.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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