“Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” Genesis 2:3
When we consider God’s order of things, whether it be from the creation to the order that is to be seen and known in Christ’s body, the church, we find that there is a wisdom to it which speaks of absolutes and freedom. For example, God worked six days to create the world, but on the seventh He rested. He ceased from the work of creation, for in six days He completed all that He had intended to accomplish. From the arrogant, independent perspective of sinful man, there might arise an alternate plan as to how God should have worked, and for how long to finish His creation. And yet, the Eternal God, does not make mistakes in that which He does, and calls us to do. There is a purpose that goes beyond man’s limited logic, revealing to mankind an ordering of life, and manner of living, which has not only present-day blessings associated with it, but an eternal, changeless worth and significance. The “rest” which God knew, because He specifically created it, was not just a compliment to the subject of His work of creation. It was an essential part of that work which reveals to man that there is a higher purpose than the creation of the world, for it is a communion with God. We see this revealed in Jesus’ words when He said: “And this is eternal life, that they may KNOW You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (Jn. 17:3) The high calling of God to sinful man is that the lost, helpless soul, a slave of sin, Satan, and the godless, self-centered world system, is to know a “rest,” “a peace that passes understanding,” a LIFE, not only before him for eternity, but presently the indwelling of Christ by the Spirit.
The Psalmist would put it like this: “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.” (46:4) In God’s order of the work that He does, and accomplishes in a perfect manner, there is an eternal objective. And though God’s response to all that He created is revealed by the words, “And God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good,” (Gen. 1:31), there would come the moment when God would cease from His works in order to set apart a “day,” a time, a moment in eternity, when His highest purpose would be revealed. It would not be that of elevating the works of His hands, although by them He would reveal His glory to the world. Beyond those works He would reveal His glory in the hearts of men.
In the third and fourth chapters of the letter to the Hebrews, through the Scriptures, the Lord speaks of “His (God’s) rest,” and also a “rest for the people of God.” (4:8) This “rest” is not just a cessation of one’s efforts to justify oneself before God by one’s own works, but to cease from them. It is also a rest where the souls of men are called upon to see the objective, and specific, word of God for what it is, a living and powerful means by which man alone can truly see his own need, and yet also see God’s perfect provision to meet that need. In addition to the revealing of the importance of hearing the word of God, and this expressed by His words, “Today, if you will hear His voice,” the call is to see our great High Priest,” Jesus the Son of God, who knows us perfectly and is able to meet us where we are, at any moment. The call of God is to vital communion with God, discovering increasingly this “rest,” and “peace” of God. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (4:16)
Dear Father, Grant us Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.