Rest is more than a nap…

For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’ ” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words 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 of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:3–11)

I understand what this means about entering a rest from my self directed work to trust God and just relax because He is in control. However, this passage prompts me to think about Him resting. 

A few weeks ago in a discussion about eternity, the thought came up of God existing where all is NOW rather than past, present and future. We live in time but for God, that definition of eternity explains a few things. 

For instance, biblical prophecies are a certainty because in the mind of God, they are now, not future. In the matter of creation, it is done not evolving. As far as the gospel is concerned, in Genesis it was a NOW event even though only God could see it that way. In time, humans had to wait hundreds of years.

So when God created the world, the entire of human history was not only at a beginning, it was eternally finished. And on the cross Jesus died in a moment of time, yet regarding the salvation of mankind He said, “It is finished” and eternally that is true. 

Another way to say it: Eternity becomes “the unity of all time” and “God’s time,”where past, present, and future converge in meaningful wholeness rather than linear succession. Some call it “the eternal now,” past and future unite in present reality, transforming His rest from stagnation into perfect engagement.

I’m thinking and writing this with only a vague understanding. I live in time. I just brushed my hair. I did that yesterday. Does it happen all the time? No, but in eternity God knows each time I brush my hair, even tomorrow and next week. 

In other words, when God started the world and made everything, it was not just the beginning but the whole of existence. We see it as time; He sees it as done and His Word gives us a glimpse — only to help us enter His rest, His understanding that His work is complete and I don’t need to fret about what I cannot see because I’m not as certain as He is about it being done. Rest is ceasing from that stress and realizing that God's will is as certain as His existence. He could rest for He knew all that He planned was fulfilled. We don’t, but we can trust Him.

Lord, I feel like I’m stepping into thin air yet held up because You are holding me. This is way out of my brain-power but at the same time verifies and even increases this incredible rest that You give. I have no idea what even the next minute holds, but I know You hold it. That means I am resting from my labors just as You rest from Yours. You are an awesome God!