Striving for Rest, Drawing Near to Grace
Few things in life are more longed for than rest. We toil, we labor, we push forward, yet our souls cry out for something deeper than mere physical relief. The writer of Hebrews calls us to strive to enter God’s rest (Hebrews 4:11), reminding us that true rest isn’t merely ceasing from work, but finding our home in the presence of God.
Richard Baxter, the great Puritan pastor, wrote The Saints’ Everlasting Rest, a book about this very longing – our deep desire to be in the unveiled presence of our Heavenly Father, to behold him face-to-face, and to finally be made whole. This is the true rest in peace that believers await – not just an end to earthly toil, but the fullness of life in the presence of God. And yet, Hebrews warns us that we must not take this rest lightly. Just as the Israelites in the Old Testament failed to enter God’s rest due to disobedience, we, too, must strive to remain faithful, keeping our eyes on Christ.
The Word That Pierces and the God Who Sees
In one of the most well-known verses in Scripture, the writer of Hebrews tells us that “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God isn’t just a collection of old writings – it’s alive, powerful, and able to cut straight to the heart of who we are.
Paul calls the Word of God the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), a weapon for spiritual warfare. But here in Hebrews, we see another function of this sword: it acts as a surgeon’s scalpel, piercing even to “the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow,” discerning the very “thoughts and intentions of the heart.” This is not just about external behavior – God’s Word exposes us at our core. It shows us what we truly are. It convicts us, corrects us, and brings us into alignment with his truth.
James likens the Word of God to a mirror (James 1:23-25), revealing what we really look like before the Lord. And because “no creature is hidden from his sight” (Hebrews 4:13), we stand completely exposed before him. There is no hiding, no pretending, no covering ourselves with excuses or self-righteousness. Like David in Psalm 139, we must humbly pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (Psalm 139:23).
This is both terrifying and liberating. Terrifying because we cannot deceive God – he sees everything. But liberating because we don’t have to carry our burdens alone. Instead of hiding, we can cry out, “Examine me, Lord. Heal me. Fill me. Redeem me. Shape me into the likeness of Christ.” The Word wounds us in order to heal us. It convicts us so that we may be restored.
Jesus, Our Great High Priest
If Hebrews 4 ended at verse 13, we might be left in despair, feeling naked and ashamed before a holy God. But thankfully, the writer immediately gives us the most comforting truth imaginable: “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession” (Hebrews 4:14).
Jesus isn’t just any priest – he’s our great high priest. He’s the perfect Mediator between us and the Father. In the Old Testament, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people. But Jesus has passed through the heavens – he’s entered the very presence of God, making eternal atonement for us.
What makes this even more incredible is that Jesus isn’t a distant, unfeeling priest. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Our Lord isn’t only perfect and holy – he understands our struggles. He knows what it is to be tempted, weary, rejected, misunderstood. And yet, he remained sinless, making him the perfect sacrifice on our behalf.
The Great Exchange: Our Sin for His Righteousness
On the cross, Jesus did more than take away our sin – he gave us his righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
This is the heart of the Gospel. Christ bore our sin, suffering the judgment we deserved, and in exchange, he clothed us in his righteousness. Because of this, we’re no longer enemies of God but his beloved children. We no longer have to approach him in fear – we can come boldly.
Drawing Near to the Throne of Grace
What does this mean for us? The writer of Hebrews answers in verse 16:
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Because of Jesus, we have confidence to approach God’s throne – not a throne of judgment, but a throne of grace. There, we find mercy for our sins, grace for our struggles, and help in our time of need. We don’t need to clean ourselves up first. We don’t need to hide in shame. We can come as we are, knowing that Christ has already made the way for us.
Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, God welcomes us with open arms. He invites us to bring our burdens, our failures, our weaknesses, and to lay them at his feet. The veil has been torn, the way is open, and we’re welcomed into his presence – not as strangers, but as beloved children.
Rest, Grace, and Holding Fast
So let’s strive to enter his rest – not by works, but by faith. Let’s hold fast to our confession, clinging to Jesus, our great high priest. Let’s allow the Word of God to do its work in us, convicting, shaping, and restoring us. And let’s draw near to the throne of grace, knowing that we’ll find exactly what we need – mercy, grace, and the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father.
Thanks be to God.
Questions for Personal Reflection
- How does the image of God’s Word as a sword and mirror challenge you in your daily walk?
- In what areas of your life do you need to hold fast to your confession, trusting in Jesus as your great high priest?
- Are you approaching God’s throne with confidence, or do you hesitate? What’s holding you back from drawing near?
Walking Points
- Take time this week to meditate on Hebrews 4:11-16. Ask God to help you strive for his rest and draw near to his throne of grace with confidence.
- Consider where you may need to allow the Word of God to pierce and shape your heart. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s conviction and healing.
If this devotion encouraged you, consider sharing it with others who may need the same reminder. And if you haven’t already, subscribe to Walking Points so you never miss a new post. Let’s continue growing together in faith and grace!
