Come to Me, all you 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. Matthew 11:28-30
In part one of this teaching series, we took a look at our Lord’s exhortation to come to a place where we find rest for our souls. As the world around us continues to become darker by the day, it’s critical we come to Jesus, learn from Him and enter into the rest that only He can provide. In part two here, we’re going to continue on our journey to Divine Rest, by looking at very telling passages from the book of Hebrews.

Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.’ So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’”  And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:10-11,18-19
We all face the struggle to find and enjoy God’s Divine Rest, but our challenges aren’t new. People way back in the Old Testament faced the same temptations, and as we see from the Word of God, failed to enter into the rest that God had reserved for them to enjoy. Unbelief blocks the roadway leading to God’s promised rest. We must attack the terrible temptation to doubt the Word of God. We must take the time to renew our minds to all of those exceedingly precious promises of God
(2 Peter 1:4). This is what Jesus did. Our Lord was a Man of prayer, first and foremost. Many nights were spent in prayer with God, while His disciples were fast asleep. In part one of this study, we saw how we are to come to Jesus – through prayer and the study of God’s Word (Acts 6:4). This is what Jesus did, and what we must do now. There is no other way to break through the roadblock of unbelief, which forever seeks to deny us the rest God offers to every believer. Let’s keep reading from the book of Hebrews.

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard itHebrews 4:1-3
 
If we’re not walking in the place of Divine Rest, the Bible tells us to fear. That doesn’t mean we’re to cower and tremble in the fear of unbelief. No! It means to beware, and constantly stay alert regarding the state of our soul, which is made up of our mind, will and emotions. Keep tabs on all three vigilantly, because the promise of Divine Rest remains in effect in our lives, no matter what we’re going through. Notice here, it says the gospel was preached to them like its being preached to us, but in their case back then, they failed to mix faith with what they heard. The result was the elimination of Divine Rest from their souls. Their minds were filled with fear, their power of choice was negatively affected, and their emotions were a wreck! That describes the everyday life of most Christians today. May it not be so for you, or for me!   
Mix faith with what you find in God’s Word. Believe that the Bible is final authority in your life. Not the words of the doctor, teacher, politician, or anyone else in positions of civil authority or recognition. Let’s continue with more from the book of Hebrews.

For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said; “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’” although the works were finished from the foundation of the worldHebrews 4:3

From before the earth was even created, God’s Word declared our victory over every devil, demon or lie they bring against us. Think about that! Before the founding of this world, God declared the end from the beginning – and that end for us is always a triumphant victory in Jesus’ name! No weapon formed against us can ever prosper, as long as we mix faith with what we hear from the Word of God (Isaiah 54:13-17). It’s the mixing of faith with what we learn from God in prayer and Bible study that produces Divine Rest. When we come to that place – the place where Jesus was in His earthly walk with God – we’re able to cast all our cares upon God, because we know He cares for us, and will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Nothing Satan does against us surprises God, so it shouldn’t surprise us either. Day by day, we walk in God’s promised rest, knowing He will be with us always, all the way to the end of our lives and beyond (Matthew 28:20). The steps of good men are ordered by the Lord, so why worry about anything (Psalms 37:23)? 
Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was preached did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said; “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” There remains therefore a rest for the people of GodHebrews 4:6-7, 9
 
No matter what we’re going through, there remains the promise of Divine Rest for us! It never changes, or becomes outdated or obsolete. It's new every morning, just like God’s mercy and faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23). Trust God. Believe His Word. Don’t worry. Don’t yield to fear. Mix faith with what God tells you in prayer, and through study of His Word. 

For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:10-11
 
Let’s not be like the unbelieving Jews in the Bible, or the unbelieving Christians today. Let’s be sanctified and separated to the Word of God, and the promises that will never falter or fail. Let’s be people walking in God’s Divine Rest. Today and every day.  
In heaven right now, our Lord and Savior is busy with many critical responsibilities that keep Christians in fellowship with God the Father. He is our Advocate that pleads our case before the Supreme Court in heaven (the real Supreme Court - 1 John 1:9). He is the Surety of a better covenant based upon better promises (Hebrews 8:6). He is our Mediator that stands between us and Almighty God (1 Timothy 2:5). Finally, He is our Great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, where he ever-lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). But there is another part to His high-priestly duties that we must pay strict attention to. He is the High Priest of our confession
(Hebrews 3:1, 4:14-15). Wow! That literally means He repeats to God what we say whenever we speak in line with the Word of God! Therefore, be sure your conversation gives Him something to come to God with, because as our High Priest, God will listen to whatever Jesus has to say! Think before you speak (James 1:19).

If our conversation lines up with God’s Word in faith, we will come to that wonderful place of Divine Rest. Not some of the time, but all of the time! We’ll be just like Jesus when He was here – tempted in all points like us but without sin. As it says in Matthew 11:28-30, let’s come to Him and learn from Him.  
This is Who We Are. This is What We Do.
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Facing Your Fears
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