**Sip Saturday is written by our Saturday morning contributor, M.H. Elrich. A beautifully gifted Christian author who seeks to honor the Trinity in her writing. She hopes that her words will encourage women to draw closer to God, whether that is through her fantasy series or her weekly devotionals.
Cornerstone Scripture:
“And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?”
-Hebrews 3:18 KJV
“Ask your mother,” my father said.
My brother and I exchanged glances. Our mother was napping, and we had long learned what would happen if we disturbed her.
“Couldn’t you do it?” I pleaded.
My father arched an eyebrow at me. “You’re the one who wants to ask, so you have to suck it up and do it.”
I looked at my brother, begging him to come with me or volunteer. He patted me on the back.
“Good luck,” he said.
I gulped. Slowly, I approached the door to my parents’ bedroom. Knocking lightly, I announced I was coming in.
“Mom, I was wondering if…”
She groaned. “What is it now? Can’t you see I’m taking a nap?”
“Well, I uh…”
Slowly, she sat up in bed, blinking at me.
“I’m awake now. Tell me what you want.”
I smiled. If she said those words, I knew that I was allowed to ask my question.
Although my mother is generally grumpy when woken from a nap (who isn’t?), she is a wonderful parent. Additionally, she was trying to help us respect her rest time, knowing that we didn’t need to wake her for every little thing. In my imagination, I can see the door caution-taped over, with a red sign saying, “Do not Disturb.” Of course, that idea was purely in my mind.
Nevertheless, you can picture something like that for God’s decree.
He told the Israelites that for their disobedience, they would never enter his rest.
Unlike my story, they would never be permitted to enter their Father’s room.
They would never experience such close intimacy with God, and certainly not the blessings of his Promised Land.
Instead, they perished in the desert, their children inheriting what they rejected.
This sorrowful picture once again serves as a reminder that disobedience is costly. It costs us God’s blessings, a close relationship with God, and, in this instance, God’s rest. Losing God’s rest means never finding peace or meaning in this life. What a terrible scenario!
If disobedience equates this, the opposite is true. Obedience means God’s blessings, a close relationship with God, and God’s rest (his peace and presence in our lives). If we have done the right thing, we can open the door to our Father’s room with confidence, not fear.
Let’s pray.
Dear Lord, please help me to obey you the first time you call on me instead of the last. Let me live a life in accordance with your Word and by your Spirit. Help me to find my soul’s rest in you. In Your Son’s name, Amen.
P.S. I am the author of these books, and they are available in all formats: paperback, ebook, and audiobook! Thank you for your weekly support of Sip Saturday.