Episode 966
Finding Rest in Resistance: A Reading from Hebrews 3:7-4:11
The focal point of today's discourse revolves around the profound concept of rest as a form of resistance, illuminated through the reading from Hebrews 3. We delve into the notion that divine rest transcends mere physical relaxation; it embodies a radical act of trust and liberation in the face of relentless productivity and societal expectations. This episode underscores the importance of community in our collective journey toward fulfillment, emphasizing that our faith should not be an individualistic endeavor but rather a shared pursuit of liberation. As we reflect on the renewed promise of God, we are reminded that each day presents an opportunity to challenge injustice and foster communal well-being. Therefore, we encourage listeners to engage in a deliberate practice of rest this week, recognizing it as an essential element of resistance against a culture that prioritizes profit over people.
The discourse presented in this session elucidates the profound thematic elements encapsulated within the biblical text of Hebrews 3. The exploration begins with an emphasis on the concept of divine rest, which is articulated as not merely a cessation of labor, but rather as an act of profound trust in God's promises. This notion of rest challenges the prevailing societal paradigms that glorify incessant productivity, inviting listeners to reconsider their definitions of worth and value in a world driven by economic imperatives. The speaker posits that genuine rest serves as an act of resistance against the dehumanizing aspects of a market-driven existence, wherein one's identity is often intrinsically linked to their output. Thus, the call to rest transcends mere physical relaxation, becoming a revolutionary act of liberation and faith in the divine.
Takeaways:
- In a world driven by capitalism and productivity, the concept of divine rest is profoundly radical and transformative.
- The journey towards fulfillment and rest is inherently collective, emphasizing the importance of community and mutual support.
- God's promise of liberation and transformation is renewed daily, offering new opportunities for action and community support.
- Rest serves not only as a respite but as a form of resistance against systemic exploitation and dehumanization.
- True rest entails trust in divine providence, highlighting the need to resist societal pressures that prioritize output over well-being.
- The act of resting is a declaration of faith, rejecting the forces that divide and exhaust us in our daily lives.
Links referenced in this episode:
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He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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Transcript
This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the Message version relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgodddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A: ,: Speaker A:He's the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do.
Speaker A:Moses was also faithful, but Jesus gets far more honor A builder is more valuable than a building any day.
Speaker A:Every house has a builder, but the builder behind them is God.
Speaker A:Moses did a good job in God's house, but it was all servant work, getting things ready for what was to come.
Speaker A:Christ, His Son is in charge of the house.
Speaker A:Now, if we can only keep a firm grip on this bold confidence.
Speaker A:We're the house.
Speaker A:That's why the Holy Spirit says today, please listen, don't turn a deaf ear, as in the bitter uprising that time of wilderness testing.
Speaker A:Even though they watched me at work for 40 years, your ancestors refused to let me do it my way.
Speaker A:Over and over they tried my patience and I was provoked.
Speaker A:Oh so provoked.
Speaker A:I said, they'll never keep their minds on God.
Speaker A:They'll refuse to walk down my road.
Speaker A:Exasperated, I vowed they'll never get where they're going, never be able to sit down and rest.
Speaker A:So watch your step, friends.
Speaker A:Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God.
Speaker A:For as long as God's still calling it today.
Speaker A:Keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes.
Speaker A:If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we're in this with Christ for the long haul.
Speaker A:These words keep ringing in our ears today.
Speaker A:Please listen.
Speaker A:Don't turn a deaf ear.
Speaker A:As if in the bitter uprising.
Speaker A:For who were the people who turned the deaf ear?
Speaker A:Weren't they the very ones Moses led out of Egypt?
Speaker A:And who was God provoked with for 40 years?
Speaker A:Wasn't it those who turned the deaf ear and ended up corpses in the wilderness?
Speaker A:And when he swore that they'd never get where they were going, wasn't he talking to the ones who turned the deaf ear?
Speaker A:They never got there because they never listened, never believed.
Speaker A:When the promises are mixed with faith for as long, then as that promise of resting in him pulls us onto God's goal for us, we need to be careful that we're not disqualified.
Speaker A:We receive the same promises as those people in the wilderness, but the promises didn't do them a bit of good because they didn't receive the promises of faith.
Speaker A:If we believe though, we'll experience that state of resting, but not if we don't have faith.
Speaker A:Remember that, God said, exasperated, I vow they'll never get where they're going, never be able to sit down and rest.
Speaker A:God made that vow even though he'd finished his part before the foundation of the world.
Speaker A:Somewhere it's written, God rested the seventh day having completed his work.
Speaker A:But in this other text he says they'll never be able to sit down and rest.
Speaker A:So this promise has not yet been fulfilled.
Speaker A:Those earlier ones never to get to the place of rest because they were disobedient.
Speaker A:God keeps renewing the promise and setting the date as today, just as he did in David's psalm centuries later than the original invitation.
Speaker A:So today, please listen, don't turn a deaf ear.
Speaker A:And so this is still a live promise.
Speaker A:It wasn't canceled at the time of Joshua, otherwise God wouldn't keep renewing the appointment for the today.
Speaker A:The promise of arrival and rest is still there for God's people.
Speaker A:God Himself is at rest and at the end of the journey will surely rest with God.
Speaker A:So let's keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience.
Speaker A:That ends the reading.
Speaker A:So in today's reflection about this reading, our passage, the passage here from Hebrews speaks about rest, resistance and the revolutionary act of trust in a divine promise.
Speaker A:Let's get into our points to ponder.
Speaker A:The first is about rest as resistance.
Speaker A:In our capitalism driven world that glorifies constant productivity and hustle culture, the concept of divine rest is radical.
Speaker A:This text reminds us that God's rest isn't just about physical relaxation.
Speaker A:It's about trust, liberation and refusing to be defined by our output.
Speaker A:When we truly rest, we resist the dehumanizing demands of a market driven existence.
Speaker A:The second point is about the collective journey.
Speaker A:Notice how the passage speaks to community.
Speaker A:Keep each other on your toes.
Speaker A:It says progressive faith isn't an individualistic pursuit, it's about collective liberation.
Speaker A:The journey toward rest and fulfillment is one we make together, supporting each other through systems of oppression and challenging comfortable complacency.
Speaker A:The third point to ponder is about today's renewed promise.
Speaker A:The text here emphasizes that God's promise is renewed daily today.
Speaker A:This suggests that liberation and transformation aren't just historical events, but ongoing possibilities.
Speaker A:Each day offers a new opportunity to challenge injustice, support our communities and work toward collective well being.
Speaker A:So today's action step Create a Rest and Resistance Practice choose one day this week to intentionally rest from productivity demands.
Speaker A:Use this time to reflect on how how rest can be a form of resistance against systems that value profit over people.
Speaker A:Share your experience with others and consider how your community might create spaces for collective rest and renewal.
Speaker A:We're going to come back with a closing prayer in just a minute.
Speaker A:I did want you to know that we have a resource just for you.
Speaker A:It's about your own daily Bible study.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:You can head over to our website voiceofgoddaily.com and pick that up.
Speaker A:It's all completely free.
Speaker A:Let's pray.
Speaker A:O God, you are a divine source of liberation.
Speaker A:We confess that we often find it harder to rest than to work.
Speaker A:Help us remember that our worth isn't measured by our productivity.
Speaker A:Give us courage to resist the forces that would keep us exhausted and divided.
Speaker A:Remind us that in resting we declare our trust in you and our rejection of systems that exploit.
Speaker A:Grant us wisdom to support each other in finding true rest.
Speaker A:Not just physical relaxation, but a deep renewal of spirit and purpose.
Speaker A:Guide us in creating communities where we all can find rest, renewal and liberation.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
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Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
