HEBREWS 3:19
“And so we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.”
Have you ever been driving in an area where you saw a “Do Not Enter” sign? Those are posted to keep you safe from oncoming traffic. Usually, it is a one-way street that is coming your way. If you ignored that sign and entered that street anyway, you place yourself in danger of colliding with another vehicle. You could even be hurt or harm someone else.
The verse today is telling a different story. Instead of saying “Do Not Enter,” it is saying we cannot enter. Entrance is allowed only to those who have been granted access through Jesus. The Hebrew children in the wilderness were not allowed to enter the Promised Land because of their disobedience. I am reminded of
Matthew 7:13-14 where Jesus says, “13‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.’”
ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)
What Ask Questions do you see in today’s verse? I see an Application to make. I need to make sure that I prepared to enter His rest. Don’t you want that? Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:8-9, “8‘And if your hand or your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or without a foot, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fiery hell.’” What could hold you back from entering His rest?
This same word for “enter” is used in Revelation 3:20. Don’t you love this? “‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.’” Not only are we to enter into Him, but He is also entering into us. Wow! We know He has already entered into us at salvation through His Holy Spirit.
If you are a child of the King, you will never face a Do Not Enter sign between you and Jesus. However, He will place that sign for your protection in front of sinful temptations. Don’t push through that sign. Do exactly what it says. Turn and go the other way. That will take you into His rest. Amen?
Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to enter into Your rest and for placing roadblocks in my way to prevent wrong choices.
