Hebrews 4:1-2 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered today, let us be afraid to distrust it, lest any of you should think he has come too late and has come short of reaching it." Verse 2 goes on, "For indeed we have had the glad tidings (Gospel of God) proclaimed to us just as truly as they (the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them) but the message they heard did not benefit them because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they united in faith with the ones (Joshua and Caleb) who heard (did believe)."
The "rest" God offered to those of old, was grace. And, the entering into His grace was all He asked. If they would have trusted in Him, then all would be alright. The Law hadn't yet been given. The Israelites were being delivered because of the promise (covenant) of grace between God and Abraham. God was to furnish everything needed because of His grace, mercy and goodness.
God proved His power to deliver them all the way to the point of crossing into Canaan Land. The Lord showed them the very proof of His promise and they still refused to enter in according to Numbers 13:27-14:30. Everyone except Joshua and Caleb saw only the giants in the land instead of God. In their eyes, God was impotent against the giants of the land.
It seemed like the Israelites had forgotten the miracles God performed on their behalf. They had disbelief in God's promise of rest (or grace). God didn't bless them because of their works or their faith or their obedience. He blessed them because of His promise to Abraham. And, all the things God did to bring them to this point, was nothing compared to what was still ahead in His promise.
Grace was promised to them by God's covenant of grace and blessing to their Father, Abraham. It had nothing to do with the people. They simply had to believe God, in faith, and everything God promised Abraham would be theirs.
Galatians 3:13-14 (Amplified) tells us that, "Christ purchased our freedom (redeeming us) from the curse (doom) of the Law (and its condemnation) by (Himself) becoming a curse for us, for it is written (in the scriptures) cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified) to the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus the blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles; so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the promise of the (Holy) Spirit."
We now find ourselves in the same place the Israelites were in at the edge of Canaan land. All the Israelites needed to do was put faith in what God told them and then follow His promise. The "rest" God offered them was to rest from their own works and to simply trust Him. We find the same promise in Galatians 3:13-14 of rest (grace) is being offered again to us. Can we by faith, now accept this offer of God's grace and favor and stop trying to enter by our own works and enter in?
Our forgiveness comes only by faith in God's grace. Our righteousness comes only by faith in His grace. Our complete new birth comes by faith in His grace. Our healing is offered by faith in His grace. Our peace comes by faith in His grace. Our deliverance comes by faith in His grace. Everything Jesus promised when He would send the Holy Spirit was ours now, by faith, according to Galatians 3:14. There is no Law, no sacrifice, no separation and no outer court that can keep us, as sons and daughters, to come boldly into the throne room of God's grace that was given by and through faith in Jesus. Hebrews 4:16 (Amplified) says, "Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners) that we may receive mercy (for our failures) and find grace to help in good time for every need (appropriate help and well timed help, coming just when we need it)."
We have an invitation from our Heavenly Father to come and be seated with Jesus in the throne room where grace and mercy, God Himself is seated. All that's needed on our part, is to mix faith with what we hear. The Israelites heard it and wouldn't place faith in it (or Him) and didn't receive it. Hebrews 4:1 tells us that God's rest (His grace) is being offered again to us. Will we mist faith with what we hear or will we turn back as the Israelites wanted to?
Even when Joshua and Caleb wanted to believe God and go on, the remaining people refused to follow them and would have stoned them for their faith. Today, we find those daring to believe in God's promises aren't always received, but sometimes they are set apart because of it. When I blogged, "How far is too far?," we arrived at the same place the Israelites found themselves...at the edge of His promise.
Grace has called and been offered. Will faith answer?
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