How many woke up this morning knowing that today they want to please God?
Do you ever worry about being good enough for God? Do you wonder if He is pleased or angry or is He someone who is rolling His eyes at you? How debilitating that must be! And more important what a waste of time as a follower of Jesus!
The Word of God is the same in 2024 as at the time of Israel’s Wilderness years:
- Listen and obey His voice;
- Know His ways
- Watch your heart.
- Continue to move.
- Move into His rest.
- No works for righteousness
“Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4 v 6-11)
Every generation must enter into the rest God has given. Whether that be the Moses generation, Joshua’s, the Psalmists who is quoted here (Psalm 95) and our own generation. There is a greater Joshua who we know is Jesus and though we have rested in Him we know we are also looking forward to that final rest in God when we step into heaven. Jesus finished what Joshua failed to do.
For that then we recognise there is no place for working for your salvation. This is to have the Sabbath rest. We don’t work for our righteousness. Yet ingrained in us is the belief that God is not pleased with us and He wants more from us.
There is nothing you can do to cause you to be saved, not one thing, it is total grace. Not one performance, not one sin-free day, not one commandment or act of purity or sacrificial giving, nothing. Get rid of the whole notion.
I met a man the other day who had achieved so much for God but he was incredibly miserable. Happiness is only found when you receive from God and not when you have earned something from Him (or think you have).
Sit back, receive His presence, be thankful for His forgiveness and be happy today. That’s not as easy as it sounds and for some we have to ‘make every effort’. This is of such importance because if we fail to do so then where is there left to go? Everything hangs on this one thing that our obedience is to enter into the finished work of Jesus. This is incredible but true.
Missions Paul 