Genesis 8:4 "And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat."
"And the ark rested." We see the same language used at the
completion of creation. "And on the seventh day God ended his work
which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he
had made." (Genesis 2:2) This passage does not mean that God became tired
and needed to rest; rather, He had completed all that was intended and His work
was finished. We can say the ark came to a rest "in the seventh
month, on the seventeenth day" because its work was completed. It
had accomplished that for which it was intended. The rain had stopped.
The waters were going back down. Noah and his family and the animals in the ark
were safe and delivered upon the earth.
Hebrews 4:10 speaks of God ceasing (ending) all His labors. In
understanding this great truth, you and I can find rest in that which God has
done for us, is doing for us, and has planned for us in all eternity. How
can we know God has ceased? How can we know the ark (vessel of the
covenant) has come to a rest? Let us look at the words of our Lord as He laid
down His life on the cross: "When Jesus therefore had received the
vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the
ghost." (John 19:30) What did He mean by these words, "It is
finished"? Yes, we know He completed the prophecies that had been
spoken concerning His work of redemption. But not only did He fulfill (bring to
a completion) the prophecies, He also finished the very work of redemption by
shedding His precious blood on that old rugged cross.
We are a redeemed people. Remember yesterday we spoke of that Lamb of God that
prevailed over the sentence of death that was against us? The writer of
Hebrews speaks of that completed work. "Neither by the blood of goats and
calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having
obtained eternal redemption for us." (Hebrews 9:12) Let us see the
song that was sung when the realization was given concerning that splendid
truth. "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take
the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed
us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and
nation." (Revelation 5:9)
My question this morning would be this: Are you trying to do something
to complete a work that has already found its rest in that which Jesus has
already done? Or, Have you found that rest of heart in the finished work of
Jesus Christ?