Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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The Goal of Creation and Redemption

Bible Reading:  Hebrews 4:1-11

Key verse:  Vs 11

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest  so that no one may fail by the same sort of disobedience.

DEVOTION

Today’s scripture is drawn from Hebrews chapter 4, vs 1-11.  Some of the Jewish Christians who received this letter were close to giving up the chance to rest in Christ. Their situation was like the Israelites in Moses’ time, who turned back instead of entering the promised land. In both cases, present troubles made God’s promise seem far away. When life became hard, they stopped trusting that God would do what God had promised.
The same thing can happen to us. When we depend on our own efforts instead of trusting Jesus, we become tired, anxious, and discouraged. Our own strength is never enough. Only Christ can carry us through.
This shows us God’s purpose from the beginning. God did not create people just to follow rules. He created them to live in peace with Him. Many people know about Jesus but do not truly know Him. They have knowledge but not trust. Faith must change how we live, not just what we know.
God’s plan is already seen in creation. When God rested on the seventh day, it was not because He was tired. It was because His work was finished and good. Everything was as it should be. This rest points to God’s greater plan—to bring people back into that same peace and wholeness.
We enter this rest when we trust Jesus. Just as God invited the Israelites to enter the promised land, He now invites us to come to Christ. This is the heart of redemption. God wants a personal relationship with us and wants to restore us to what He first intended.
For Christians, God’s rest is not just something in the future. It is peace with God now and eternal life later. We do not have to wait until heaven to experience it. When we trust Jesus and depend on him each day, we can let go of worry and find true peace.
Salvation is a gift, but it must be accepted. It requires a decision to trust God and to keep following Him. Just as people work hard before a holiday, we are called to stay faithful as we move toward God’s promised rest.
The rest we enjoy in Christ now is only the beginning. One day, God will renew everything. Sin will be removed, and creation will be made new. This is the goal of creation and redemption: a restored world and a restored relationship with God, completed through Jesus.

PRAYER


 Lord, help us to hold firm to our faith in Jesus and build our relationship with Him to the point that we are hidden in Him. Help us to enter our rest from worrying about pain or privilege, about life or liberty, about self or sustenance- knowing that in You and through You we are always at peace. Amen 
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 “ No soul can be really at rest until it has given up all dependence on everything else and has been forced to depend on God Alone “ – Hannah Whitall Smith ( 1832-1911)


Mrs. Bindu Mary George, Melbourne Mar Thoma Church , Melbourne, Australia .

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