37 lines
4.2 KiB
HTML
37 lines
4.2 KiB
HTML
|
|
<html>
|
|
<head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="head">
|
|
Day By Day By Grace
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="subhead">
|
|
Bob Hoekstra
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center">
|
|
<div class="pad2020">
|
|
August 7
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="main-just">
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h1>Once More on God's Promises and God's Rest</h1>
|
|
<div class="block"><i>Let us therefore be <b>diligent</b> to enter that <b>rest</b>, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience…And we desire that each one of you show the same <b>diligence</b> to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and <b>patience</b> inherit the <b>promises</b>…And so, after he had <b>patiently endured</b>, he <b>obtained</b> the <b>promise</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 4, '11-11');">Hebrews 4:11</a>; <a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 6, '11-12');">6:11-12</a>, <a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 6, '15-15');">15</a>)</div>
|
|
<p>Once again, <b>God's promises</b> and <b>God's rest</b> are in view. In these intriguing verses, <b>two insightful terms</b> are linked with the promises and the rest of God: <b>diligence</b> and <b>patience</b>. Although they sound contradictory, they are actually complementary.</p>
|
|
<p>For those who believe in the Lord Jesus, He promises spiritual rest. This rest begins with a divine rescue from the crushing burden of sin and guilt. Then, it is to develop into heavenly relief from the unbearable load of self-generated Christian living. Entering into this daily spiritual rest is neither an optional nor a casual matter. <i>"Let us therefore be <b>diligent</b> to enter that <b>rest</b>."</i> The Lord wants to stir and maintain in us an <b>eagerness</b> for this daily rest in Him. He wants us to <b>earnestly</b> and <b>attentively</b> seek Him for the rest that He alone can give. Our God wants to bring us along in a maturing assurance (a growing confidence in His promises). <i>"And we desire that each one of you show the same <b>diligence</b> to the <b>full assurance of hope</b> until the end."</i> If we are unwilling to cry out to the Lord for such diligence in seeking His rest daily, we will eventually become spiritually lethargic: <i>"that you do <b>not</b> become <b>sluggish</b>."</i> God's rest is designed to produce spiritual fervency, not laziness: <i>"<b>not lagging</b> in <b>diligence</b>, <b>fervent in spirit</b>, serving the Lord"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 12, '11-11');">Romans 12:11</a>).</p>
|
|
<p>Along with <b>diligence</b> in seeking God for the rest He promises, the Lord also wants to develop in us a <b>patience</b> regarding His promises. <i>"Imitate those who through faith and <b>patience</b> inherit the <b>promises</b>…And so, after he had <b>patiently endured</b>, he <b>obtained</b> the <b>promise</b>."</i> God does not want our spiritual diligence to deteriorate into anxiety and impatience. Yet, how can we grow in diligence and patience at the same time? How is it that the two are not mutually exclusive? Well, <b>diligence</b> concerns <b>what</b> God promises to do. We are to earnestly seek such. Patience concerns <b>when</b> God may desire to fulfill His promises. We are to patiently trust Him for His prefect timing.</p>
|
|
<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord, I praise You for the wonderful realities that You have made available through Your promises. I want to seek You diligently for their fulfillment in my life. Yet, dear Lord, if I must wait an extended time on various issues, as Abraham did for his promised son, help me to be patient, trusting in Your wise timing, Amen.</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center">
|
|
<div class="pad2020">
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/08/0806.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/08/0808.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/index.html">Return to Day By Day By Grace Page</a>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|