Daily Devotions
Our Rest From Sin
Reading for December 20th: Hebrews 11-13
Weekly reading for December 20-26: Revelation 12-16
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!"
Revelation 14:13
The Hebrew writer says a rest remains for the people of God (Heb 4:9). This is more than a cessation of physical labor, it has spiritual implications. When the forbidden fruit was eaten, part of the curse was labor. The ground produced thorns and thistles and giving birth became "labor" (Gen 3:16-19). When Joshua finished the conquest of Canaan, the land had "rest" from war (Josh 11:23; 14:15). The people were given "rest" from the wicked nations they had driven from the land (Josh 21:44; 22:4; 23:1).
We can see all of these consequences of sin today. We are in a similar "struggle against sin" (Heb 12:4). We experience pain and sorrow and death and all the other physical consequences of sin, as well as all of the works of the flesh that are part of this world cursed by sin (Gal 5:19-21).
But there is hope! Our rest is coming! We will live in a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells (Rev 21:1, 27). However, this rest is only for those who die in the Lord. If you are not in Christ, repent of your sins and be baptized into him that you might share in this hope with us (Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; Gal 3:26-27).
Father God, thank you for the Sabbath rest that awaits us in heaven!
