Day 19

This morning I am drawn to two specific concepts from the passage in Hebrews 3 & 4, and the corresponding references from Exodus that Paul cites and refers to. Consider as a foundation, Moses’ interaction with God after 40 years in the wilderness (and note the numerical significance of 40 as we also experience 40 (days) seeking God’s presence):
“Then He replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)
Intercession and rest – and seemingly in that order as it relates to our calling. Look at how Paul cites the words of the Holy Spirit, and follows up with our needful response in Hebrews 3:12-13:
“Watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.”
This is Paul’s encouragement to us, in response to the consideration of God’s wrath at a heart-hardened people. The rest that God grants would appear to be tied to our response of encouraging the brotherhood of Christ. The word rest seen here, comes into English as the word Sabbath. Paul points out the distinction between what God intended for our rest, and what “the Pharisees of Jesus’ day had forgotten at this point. They considered the Sabbath as simply “the seventh day.”
“for somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this way:
And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.
Again, in that passage He says,
They will never enter My rest.
Since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience, again, He specifies a certain day—today—speaking through David after such a long time, as previously stated:
Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Heb 4:4-7)

They thought of the Sabbath as an entity unto itself, rather than as a God-given Mandate to stop one form of activity to allow for a quiet time to renew and sense His presence.” – TODAY. That is what we are considering during our own time of fasting right now! What else are we doing during these 40-days of seeking God, if not surrendering in one or a few areas, looking for His presence, and the peace and rest that He first delivered to Moses before he entered the Promised Land with the children of Israel? Moses regularly went to God in the tent of meeting and spoke with Him face-to-face; he was constant in his intercession for the people, and finally he heard the word he was waiting for, “I will give you rest.” God gives the real Sabbath! (rest)
While Moses may have been anxious about finding the presence of God, we can be sure where it can be found – in our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.
Intercede on behalf of one another during our time seeking God – and find His rest.
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)