PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Weekly Bible Study - Study 12 - The Book of Hebrews Ch 4:1-7

“Therefore since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard it did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, So I declare on oath in my anger, “They shall never enter my rest” And yet his work has been finished from the creation of the world.”(Hebrew Chapter 4: verses 1 to 3 (New International Version)

The joy of being a winner!

All of us have had those rare moments when we have brought home the trophy from golf. There is real satisfaction and joy from playing sport to our potential and winning. It can be satisfying though when we play to our best and still lose or frustrating when we play poorly and win.  There is another view of sport that I also like and that is playing the game is what it is all about, whether you win or lose is less important. Having said that, we all love to win! This is certainly the case where I play golf and for me.
When it comes to God it is not just playing the game of life that is important, but also the prize. In our reading this week, the prize is the Sabbath rest for the people of God.
This idea of rest has its beginnings in the Old Testament in the Garden of Eden when God created the world and later when his people entered the Promised Land. God’s promise to them was of rest; that was expressed in a full life with God in worship, trust and obedience, prosperity, long life, health and protection. Their part of the bargain was to trust God and be faithful by obeying his commands.  The people of God never got to enjoy this rest in any great capacity because they did stay close to God or follow his ways. There were a few times when they enjoyed this for a brief time when David and Solomon ruled in particular, but it was short lived.

For us the analogy is a little like going on a holiday, but unable to enjoy it because we get sick and spend our time in hospital instead.

It is common today to hear a phrase something like this; “It is not the destination that is important, but the journey.” This view comes from an uncertainty about the future and an emphasis on the present that is so much about modern life.

With God both the present and future are important. The journey of faith and following God is important and rest is something we enjoy with God when we stop and renew ourselves in his presence. We don’t do this enough today. But equally important is the rest that comes with the hope of eternal life.

We believe God has a future for his people where all the things that rob us of life will be taken away; like sin suffering and death. Our writer has warned us in verse 1 above to be careful that we do not fall short of reaching this rest, because of a lack of faith and obedience. That’s a little like getting to the bus station just after it leaves. The difference to being late and on time is often to do with what we value. When we enthusiastically love and believe in God, we look forward in expectation to the prize of eternal life and rest with God.

Prayer.  Heavenly Father, help me to trust and follow your way of life and to enjoy the prize of your rest that is your gift.  Amen.

Read ouR Bi-Monthly Newsletter

Upcoming Events

• Go to Events Page

Site by Limelight Creative