Skip to main content

Seek Rest or Else

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

The imagery in this passage is vivid.  Most of us don’t run around using swords anymore.  However, we have seen them in museums, history books, and movies, of course.  We know that a double edge sword has a blade on each side of the sword.  As opposed to our kitchen knives that have a blade on just one side. This was a tool meant to make an impact.  

Paul the author describes a sword that has the sharpness of a surgical scalpel. It is able to split the joints of the bones from the marrow of the bones themselves. It can divide a soul from a spirit. The operator of the sword has a steady hand with precision. 

Prior to this verse, the Apostle Paul has just shared with the audience the importance of rest.  He challenges his audience to rest from work, just like God did.  If you refer back to Genesis chapter 1, God worked for six days creating our world.  On the sixth day, he created man.  Then He sat back and enjoyed His creation.  On the seventh day, He did not work. Genesis 2 says He completed all of His work so He rested and made it holy.  A day set aside for us to do the same.

Paul says in Hebrews, “The word of God is alive and active.”  So much so that by wielding a razor sharp sword, the word has the ability to judge our hearts. God says our work is done in six days.  God assures us His word has the ability to separate our soul and spirit. The soul represents our human form.  The spirit refers to our spiritual relationship with our God. I think the point Paul is trying to make here is two-fold.

First, even at rest, God is at work with us.  The word remains active even as we rest. Through the Holy Spirit, God is drawing us closer to Him and further from our human form. Let us not forget, Jesus is the living word.  He has already overcome the world.  Shouldn’t we rest knowing His victory is ours.

Secondly, as much as we may try, we can’t ever outrun God.  He knows what is in our heart and in our minds.  We may think we can hide things from Him, but his sword has the ability to reach all places and dissect our innermost and darkest thoughts and feelings.  Those fears, that guilt, and those feelings that we think we can tuck away in a part or our souls that only we can see are not hidden from God. 

God is present in rest.  Seek rest as God sought it and you will find Him.  

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Matt



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Anchor House: Week 6 Buried Treasure

When I started at Anchor House I committed to write at least one blog per week. Writing is something I enjoy and a way I get to interact with God. I can recall wanting to write about Anchor House in the days before I started, but my knowledge was limited..  To be honest I felt like I knew three things before I joined Anchor House. First,  Anchor House was a mission at Port Manatee (the Seaport, not the jail) Second, I knew it was a mission that my church, Westside Christian Church, supported with our Show Love funds.  Third, I knew God was calling me to serve Him there. However, what happened at Anchor House day to day was something of a mystery to me.   After being here for a few weeks I have learned quite a bit. I know where to look to find out when ships are coming in or departing.  I have learned that I am just tall enough to hit my head where most seafarers don’t. I have learned that flexibility is the key to serving at a seaport. One of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Anchor House Week 10: I Love It

This past week was week 10 at Anchor House. When I run into friends who I used to work with at State College of Florida or friends I haven't seen in a while, the first question is, "How do you like it?" I typically reply, "I love it." This week I've been challenged about that answer. It just won't do. It is too generic of an answer to truly describe what I am experiencing. It's too simple to describe the blessing of God working through you. It is too plain to explain the feeling of knowing you are right where God has planned for you to be.  I always thought I had purpose in my career. I know we are to worship God through the work He has provided for us to do. At times, however, the work I previously did seemed mundane and lacking purpose. I felt like I could do God's work where I was, but I had this feeling as if there was something more.  A week or so ago I was with one of our partner churches sharing how God works through Anchor H...
Post a Comment
Read more

Bold Like Stephen

I've always admired people who aren't afraid to be bold in their convictions.  It is the kind of boldness that allows them to stand out in the crowd. There is just something different about how these people view and engage the world around them.  The movie “Hacksaw Ridge” portrays a man that exemplifies what I mean by bold.  He was drafted to serve in World War II but refused to bear arms because of religious reasons. Yet, he still managed to receive the Congressional Medal of honor. Without a weapon in his hand, he saved 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite his objection to violence, he still served his country. Despite his objection to war he found a way to love his neighbor. He was bold.  When I think of bold in the Bible, I think of Stephen. Acts 6:8 says, "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Stephen faced opposition to his teachings. Those that opposed his teachings couldn't ...
Post a Comment
Read more