There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God
Heb4:9 

 
            The author of Hebrews wants us to cease from our own works and enter into rest.  When God in Genesis records creation he tells us that after the work was done in six days, he rested on the seventh day.  The comparison between the work of creation and the work of Christ is telling.  Since the work of Christ is done, just like God rested on the seventh day from all his work, we should enter into rest knowing that Christ's work is done, and if we enter into rest, we cease from effort and striving and simply believe.  If we believe, all things are possible, and we become receptors of all the blessings of God.  For the author of Hebrews the only thing that hinders us from entering into this rest is unbelief.  When the storms of life assail, do we remain at peace or do we become fearful and unbelieving?  If the work of Christ is finished, we should not resort to our own works of prayer and petition to receive the desired prayer, but rest in faith that by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, we are saved, we are healed, we are coheirs with Christ and inheritors of all the blessings of God just like faithful Abraham.   If we truly have faith, we rest.  If we live in unbelief, we deprive ourselves of the grace and beauty of resting in God and all the blessings associated with that rest.   

            Working out our salvation for most of us takes time.  We must be free on the inside, Spirit filled and Spirit led.  St. Paul in The Acts of the Apostles constantly alludes to the Holy Spirit as being the one that leads him in all his decisions and his ministry.  When we are born again we enter into fellowship with Christ.  When we receive the Holy Spirit, God can begin to navigate our lives and draw us closer to him.  When we are led by the Spirit we can perform the will of God not only in generality but in specificity.  This makes us extremely useful to God as we learn to obey the Spirit's prompting and with the indwelling of God, we should be better able to enter into this rest and live by faith.  Not only that, since our faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, we have scripture to support our trust in what Christ has accomplished for us.  That is why the author of Hebrews talks about the word of God as being living and powerful after his discussion on rest.  It gets us to believe, and if we believe, we can enter into this rest.

            So my children, rest in me, says the Lord.  It is finished.  The work is done.  Your salvation is certain  Only believe and see the goodness of God.  Do not be fearful and unbelieving.  Have faith in God and have faith in me.  Do not be like a ship in a storm tossed about in the sea.  Remain steadfast.  Remain steady.  Remain strong.  Speak the word and live in peace.  Speak the word and live in joy.  Speak the word and live in love.  By my stripes you are saved.  By my strips you are healed.  By my stripes you are delivered.  The work is done so simply rest in me, says the Lord of glory. The Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.