entering into rest

It is that time of year when our bodies are beginning to yearn for entering into some rest.

For many of us the picture above represents an ideal form of restfulness that we could so easily engage in right now!!!!!

Hebrews 4 has a lot to say about rest:
Hebrew 4:9-11 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 
For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

Did you know that in Hebrew the same word is used for "rest" and "Sabbath"?

It is the Hebrew word sha-bat and the word picture behind this word is "return to the covenant".

So, try reading Hebrews 4 again and every time you come across the word "rest" insert "return to the covenant".

Of course my curious mind immediately wants to know what the word picture for covenant might be!!!

Are you curious too???

Well I will not keep you in suspense, here is the word picture: "the sign (cross) of my son".

One of the very early pictures of the Cross we have discovered together is that of Noah's ark.

Remember? Wood, blood and obedience.

Genesis 6:18 “But I will establish My covenant (rest) with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.

You will also recall that not only is the ark a picture of the Cross it is also a picture of grace: "the fence that protects life".

True rest is found when we return to the covenant and enter into God's grace (the fence that protects life) and abide there.