Entering into the Lord's Rest

     In Hebrews chapter 3 we learn that the Ancient Israelites are refused rest in the Lord because they could not even find rest in Moses. This is because the people hardened their hearts and were disobedient. The scriptures define the Lord’s rest as a “fullness of His glory.” However, President Joseph F. Smith defines it a bit differently, “To my mind it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive. We know of the doctrine that it is of God, and we do not ask any questions of anybody about it … The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into God’s rest … rest from doubt, from fear, from apprehension of danger, rest from the religious turmoil of the world.”

      Paul is continually warning the people of hardening their hearts and giving into the pride of the world. We need to heed Paul’s counsel because it is just as applicable today as it was then. Hebrews 3:12-15 gives more warnings and counsel that we should follow, “Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God … exhort one another daily …lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. …we are made partakers of Christ if we hold … stedfast unto the end … harden not your hearts.”

      We should fear God and be obedient, “not being mixed with faith” (Hebrews 4:2). “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father” (Matthew 7:21).