Dear Family,
Today is Sabbath, April 26, 2025. This is Day 7 of Week 2 in our Counting toward Pentecost. It is our 14th day of Counting.
Ancient Israel was blessed with the presence of God in the cloud by day and in the fire by night. Yet, they were somewhat oblivious to His presence. The Sabbath is a special time of communing with God, because He has placed His presence in the Sabbath, making it Holy time. Let us NOT be oblivious. Let us take special time today and every Sabbath to fellowship with God’s people, God the Father, and Jesus Christ His Son.
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Moses knew fellowship with God. It was expressly connected to enjoying “rest.” Notice verse 14 of Exodus 33.
Exodus 33:13-14 (13) Now therefore, I pray Thee, if I have found grace in Thy sight, shew me now Thy way, that I may know Thee, that I may find grace in Thy sight: and consider that this nation is Thy people. (14) And He said; My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Jesus Christ came to give us rest. He wants to dwell with us…share His presence with us. When we have truly repented and given our lives to God, God gives us a special rest. We are freed from the bondage of sin. We are freed from the guilt of our sins. We are freed from the eternal death penalty of sin. But, there is more.
Notice in Matthew 11:28-30 that the word “rest” appears twice. The first time the word rest refers to freedom from the trials and labors of our past. The second time the word rest refers to rest we begin to receive when we take on the easy yoke of God’s service and continue to learn of Him. This rest is an ongoing process and a revelation as we learn and follow. Jesus said, “…and ye shall find rest.…”
Matthew 11:28-30 (28) Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
And, finally there is an all-encompassing, never-ending rest that we shall enter when our vile bodies are changed from mortal to immortal, from physical to spiritual.
Philippians 3:20-21 (20) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.
That is the rest referred to in Hebrews.
Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Let us celebrate the Sabbath together, in awareness and appreciation of all of the “rest” God has prepared for us!
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
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