進入神的安息
希伯來書四章1至11節
1我們既蒙留下，有進入他安息的應許，就當畏懼，免得我們（原文是你們）中間或有人似乎是趕不上了。
2因為有福音傳給我們，像傳給他們一樣；只是所聽見的道與他們無益，因為他們沒有信心與所聽見的道調和。
3但我們已經相信的人得以進入那安息，正如神所說：我在怒中起誓說：他們斷不可進入我的安息！其實造物之工，從創世以來已經成全了。
4論到第七日，有一處說，到第七日神就歇了他一切的工。
5又有一處說：他們斷不可進入我的安息！
6既有必進安息的人，那先前聽見福音的，因為不信從，不得進去。
7所以過了多年，就在大衛的書上，又限定一日，如以上所引的說：你們今日若聽他的話，就不可硬著心。
8若是約書亞已叫他們享了安息，後來神就不再提別的日子了。
9這樣看來，必另有一安息日的安息為神的子民存留。
10因為那進入安息的，乃是歇了自己的工，正如神歇了他的工一樣。
11所以，我們務必竭力進入那安息，免得有人學那不信從的樣子跌倒了。
信息分享
這是新約其中一章最重要的經文，可是，許多基督徒卻只是輕輕略過。在這個步伐急促、繁忙疲乏的世代，還有其他信息，比進入神的安息和凡事交托在神的手中，更切合信徒需要嗎？這章經文清楚指出，神的每個兒女都可進入神的安息。
究竟是甚麼因素阻止我們得享安息呢？經文指出，就是因為我們懷疑和不信，也就是說，我們沒有全心全意地相信神的良善和計劃。
我們可能會說，我們試過為憂慮的事情祈禱，但始終得不到神所賜的平安。但是，我們要記著，是神親自指出，我們是因為缺乏信心，所以才得不到祂的平安與不能進入祂的安息。經文引以色列人為例，說明他們不能進入安息，正是因為他們不相信祂。神警告我們不要效法他們。
這裡所言的安息，究竟是指到甚麼？它不是指到肉身的死亡，不是要進到天堂或進入迦南之後，才可以享受此安息。取而代之，它乃像完成工作後的安歇。它是我們藉著耶穌基督與神相交之後，而得到的靈裡安息。這是我們學習凡事信靠神之後，心靈所得到的平安與安息。
唯有我們相信基督已為我們作成一切，我們才可進入神為我們所預備的安息。真正的信心，是全心全意地信靠神的旨意，堅信我們的天父會帶領我們經過一切的境遇。
唱詩：
主耶穌啊，願我今天能藉著你進入神的安息，因著你而得著真正的喜樂。
RESTING IN GOD
Hebrews 4:1-11
1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.
2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:
“So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest,’”
although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”;
5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”
6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,
7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:
“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.
9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
Message
Here is one of the most important chapters in the New Testament, but it is generally unknown by many Christians. Is there any message more needed in these busy, wearying days than being able just to rest in God and trust everything to him? This chapter says plainly that there is a rest waiting for all of God's children.
What stops us from knowing more of that rest and peace? This chapter states that it is unbelief-that is, lack of positive faith in God himself, in his goodness and in his purposes.
But some of us have tried. We have prayed and yet, somehow we still don't know God's peace. Remember it is God who is saying that it is lack of faith that robs us of his peace and rest. He mentions Israel, and says that they could have known peace and rest if they had only believed him. God warns us not to follow in their footsteps.
What is this rest spoken of here? It is not physical death. It is not heaven. It is not the land of Canaan. It is like resting because a certain task has been completed. It is the spiritual rest shared by the soul that has come into fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. It is the peace that comes into our lives as we learn to trust in him.
It is the result of faith that accepts the finished work of Christ. Faith which accepts the will of God and trusts our heavenly Father in spite of every circumstance.
Here is a hymn for us for today.
Jesus I am resting, resting
In the joy of what thou art.