Hebrews 4:1-3 (NKJV): Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 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. For we who have believed do enter that rest...
The word 'rest' here is 'katapausis' in Greek. We shall break this word into two parts now. The preposition 'kata' means 'with reference to'; and the word 'pausis' means 'to settle down, to cease (from striving or struggling)'. By the way, this word 'pausis' is where the English word 'pause' originates.
The expression 'let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it' means 'this place of rest (i.e. 'katapausis') is so glorious that it should concern us when we (or others) seem to come short of it'.
And the word 'Therefore' at the beginning of Hebrews 4:1 shows this verse was written in the context of the previous verse in Hebrews 3:19 that says, 'So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief'.
In other words, it was 'unbelief' that has kept those who escaped Egypt from entering the Promised Land! For the record, they ended up wandering in the wilderness for forty years, when they could have reached the Promised Land within weeks!
I heard and released these words from the Lord recently:
"In the midst of the striving and struggling in this world, there remains a rest for My people. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For I have promised rest for those who believe."
People of God, whatever the striving and struggling may be in this world, the Lord wants you to know that His promise of rest remains for you even now. Enter into this rest!
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Interestingly, the word 'rest' here is 'anapausis' in Greek, from the same word 'pausis' you find in Hebrews 4:1, but with the preposition 'ana', meaning 'moment by moment'. Do you see what I see here? The Lord wants to give you 'moment by moment' rest! That is to say, a 'present time, continual' rest! Not just a 'one time' or 'once in a long time' rest!
So, even in the midst of the striving and struggling that you see in this world, or no matter how busy you may be today, the good news is this 'anapausis' that comes from Him is available for you right now! In fact, all the time! Receive by faith! It's yours! And never allow anyone (or anything) to rob you of this rest! In Jesus' name. Amen!
