October 24, 2023

Searching After God’s Rest
MARY FOLKERTS, COMPEL Training Member

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“… Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness … Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” Hebrews 3:7-8, 10-11 (ESV)

I’ve been a “yes, but …” girl all my life. In fact, it’s an ongoing struggle.

Yes, I’ll follow Jesus, but …
Yes, I love Jesus, but …

Do you know who else also seemed to have a “yes, but …” attitude? The Israelites in the Exodus account.

During their escape from Egypt to the promised land, God provided precise direction in the form of a cloud by day and fire by night. He provided water from rocks and bread from heaven. After all the miracles the Israelites witnessed, how could they still show such unbelief and discontent? They must have displayed an extraordinary level of obstinance to turn an 11-day journey (Deuteronomy 1:2) into 40 years of wandering (Numbers 14:34)!

We shake our heads at them, feeling smug in our self-righteousness. We think we would have had more trust had we been in their sandals, but truth be told, we still struggle to follow where God leads today.

As the author of Hebrews used the Israelites’ wilderness story to caution his readers, it remains a warning for us today. Hardening one’s heart to the voice of God means missing out on His rest.

“…Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness … Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest’” (Hebrews 3:7-8, 10-11).

The Israelites’ unbelief that God would do what He promised kept them from entering God’s rest (Deuteronomy 1:32). Sin is deceitful; it will cause us to doubt God’s voice and look to ourselves for direction. Faith feels too difficult — trust feels too hard. We have waited too long for God, so we make our own path. We live in the “yes, but …” and our wandering begins.

How do we find our way back to the rest God desires to give us? Hebrews 3 lays the groundwork:

• Fix our thoughts on Jesus (Hebrews 3:1). When we’re preoccupied with our circumstances, our eyes wander from our Savior to our struggle. Immersing ourselves in God’s Word refocuses us on the One who wants to carry our burdens and direct our path (Matthew 11:28-29; Proverbs 3:5-6).
• Don’t harden our hearts to the voice of God (Hebrews 3:7-8). The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we will recognize His voice. Calluses form on a heart that continually turns from His voice, so let’s keep our hearts soft to His gentle whisper.
• Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13). Staying connected in Christian community is vital for spiritual health. Fellowship allows us to know and be known, to encourage and correct, to receive and give godly wisdom, using God’s Word as our road map (2 Timothy 3:16).

Do you trust God’s promises? Take hold of the truth that God's direction does not hinder your joy but leads you to true rest. It all begins and ends with faith, changing “yes, but …” to “yes, Lord.”

Yes, Lord, I will follow You.

Dear heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I live in the “yes, but …” and when I think my way is better than Yours. Teach me to trust Your character and love, even when I don’t understand. Help me to rest in the knowledge of Your guiding hand. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

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Today’s devotion writer, Mary Folkerts, is a member of COMPEL Training. You can find writing tips, inspiration and community when you follow COMPEL on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Isaiah 30:21, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (NIV).

John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (NIV).

Are you struggling to give God control of a particular situation in your life? Do you feel like He is silent in providing direction? Look back to the three points above, asking God to point out specific areas He wants to work on in your heart.

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2023 by Mary Folkerts. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org