A Word About Rest

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. [Hebrews 4.12]

For perhaps the first time ever in my spiritual journey, I have tried to consider the context of this particular verse.  In so doing, I found myself having to read and re-read this passage many times.  The context of this widely quoted scripture is that God had indeed "spoken" about another day of rest that all who enter will experience.  The fact that Paul begins verse 12 with the word "for" indicates the verse's relationship to previous statements - particularly that the previous statements are dependent upon what follows the "for". 

Perhaps verse 12 and the previous verses could be better understood if put this way: "Since what God says is alive and powerful (sharper than a two-edged sword, ...etc), then what He says about entering His rest is so, and indeed calls us to a decision."

That decision is, interestingly enough, in regard to our ceasing from our own efforts and finding our rest in God through Jesus Christ.

Hmmm.

Father, I want to consider this "rest" today and be assured that I am there!