Lent – Thursday Day 8

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Heb. 4:7

Introduction

When creation was completed, God rested and looked on all that He had done, and “it was very good” (tov me’ode).  We are invited into God’s rest as we trust Him to save and keep us.  We are warned not to harden our hearts to His still small voice, or we may hear the warning to the people of Israel, “You shall not rest” (Heb. 4:5).

Scripture

Heb 4:1-10

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it. ² For indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. ³ For we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “As in my anger I swore, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” though his works were finished at the foundation of the world. ⁴ For in one place it speaks about the seventh day as follows, “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” ⁵ And again in this place it says, “They shall not enter my rest.” ⁶ Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, ⁷ again he sets a certain day—“today”—saying through David much later, in the words already quoted,“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”

Reflection

When I have an appointment, I can become restless and anxious as I pace, go for long walks, or flitter from one mindless activity to another.  It comes from a place of uncertainty and misapprehension—I’m never sure how it will turn out.  However, as soon as I’ve come through the event, there is almost a euphoric sense of peace.  I scold myself for being nervous and shrug off my previous mistrust with a sigh of relief.  If only I could transpose the peace from the end to the beginning.

God invites us to rest in him, but we find it hard to surrender. Creation completed, God saw that there was nothing more to add and he looked around and saw that it was “tov me’ode”—very good.

“Tov me’ode”

The swirling disruptive artistry of creation complete, God rested.

It is finished. 

And He saw that it was very good – “Tov me’ode”.

The moment between creation and rest.

He waits for me there.

It is the moment I surrender to His peace.

Prayer

Lord, I am often guilty of relying on myself to find inner peace.  There is restlessness and uncertainty if I face life’s challenges alone. You are trustworthy.  Let me enter that rest and declare, “tov me’ode”—it is very good.  Amen