Promises Mixed with Faith & Obedience

I was talking with my friend yesterday, who was diagnosed with cancer back in April. She went through surgery, and now faces chemo and radiation. Her faith is so strong as she walks through this - and it reminds me of the challenge in chapter 4 of Hebrews. 'For as long, then, as that promise of resting in Him pulls us on to God's GOAL FOR US, we need to be careful that we're not disqualified.' The author reminds us that the Israelites chose to doubt what God was going to do for them - where He was taking them, and how we would accomplish His purpose in their life. Their doubt DISQUALIFIED them from receiving the blessing of rest and life in the promised land. Silly Israelites....

I am challenged. Do I really believe that God is working in my life - pulling me toward His goal for me- even through wilderness walks? I believe it for my friend who is facing the ugly C word, but I am struggling with trusting God with issues in my own life. I don't want to submit....

The next verses say' This promise (of rest) has not yet been fulfilled. Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient. God keeps renewing the promise and setting the date as today...And so this is still a live promise. The promise of "arrival" and "rest" is still there for God's people. God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we'll surely rest with God.'

Pray for my friend. Pray for me. Pray for yourself that we take Him seriously in both His promises and His ask for obedience. 'God means what He says. What He says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it - no matter what.'