Finishing The Journey

Ezra 8:32–36 AV 1873

32 And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days. 33 Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites; 34 by number and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time. 35 Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the Lord. 36 And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.

Required Rest

It is just as important to trust in the Lord for rest as it is to finish the task He appointed you to finish.

Rest is an important part of life. As people who dedicate their every action to Jesus Christ we must take time to rest in Him.

Hebrews 4:1–11 AV 1873

1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief, 7 again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Genesis 2:2–3 AV 1873

2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Matthew 11:28 AV 1873

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Those who are born again into God’s family have a Spiritual rest that can keep us going during the hardest of times.

2 Corinthians 4:16 AV 1873

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Romans 5:1–2 AV 1873

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Responsibility Reckoned

Grow in our knowledge of Christ.

Matthew 11:29 AV 1873

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Follow Christ and His principles living by faith and not sight.

Matthew 16:24–25 AV 1873

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Reconcile broken relationships if at all possible.

Matthew 18:15 AV 1873

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Remarkable Redemption

The Old Testament needs to be read and properly applied to our lives. Christ fulfilled the Law with His life, death, and resurrection. But the Old Testament and it’s principles are necessary for the child of God to understand Who God is, how He views His creation, and how we can have a relationship with Him.

Romans 15:1–4 AV 1873

1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

These animal sacrifices never pleased God.

Hebrews 9:13–14 AV 1873

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 10:4 AV 1873

4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Hebrews 10:10 AV 1873

10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

1 Peter 1:19 AV 1873

19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: