Please read the passage before reading the commentary.
In the book of Genesis, on the seventh day of creation, God rested from his labors. Psalm 95 ends with a reference to God’s rest (Ps 95:11). Jesus, however, tells us that the Father still works and that Jesus himself also works (John 5:17).
When can we enter into the rest of God? Psalm 95 speaks of people not entering into God’s rest because they lack belief in God.
Belief, or faith, is not knowing a set of written statements about God. Faith is about our relationship with God, our attachment to God’s person. When we have faith in a person, we are apt to follow the person wherever that person goes and apt to do whatever the person asks.
There is a sense that God finished the work of creation on the seventh day. There is also a sense in which God continues to work. Work is part of our makeup, instilled in us by our creator and given us as part of our being made in the image and likeness of God.
We humans need to work. A baby’s work is learning language, control over bodily functions, and profitable use of time. For children, play is their work as they explore the world about them and play-act various careers. Adults work and earn money to take care of themselves and their families. Even retired people have to work. George Burns, an outstanding comedian, went to his office every day until he died about 100 years old. It is not surprising, then, that God continues to work even until today.
Eternal rest in heaven does not mean no work. It means participating in a more rewarding way in the great work of God.
There is still time for us to enter into God’s rest, still time for us to listen to and obey God. The author encourages us to enter more deeply into God’s friendship so that we can enter more deeply in God’s rest.