We go through temptation, but so did Jesus – “We do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who has been tempted in every way, as we are, yet without sin.”

This passage begins v 1… “since the promise to enter his rest remains – beware none of you be found to have fallen short-“ Yes. we all have fallen short of the glory – Romans 3:23, but we don’t have to STAY on the ground. Every battle we face we have an option receive the “hand up” from Christ that bridges the gap and pulls us up into the rest of submission. (James 4:7)

Hebrews 4:3 says we who have believed enter the rest. Entering the rest of victory over being short of the glory, comes by faith. So, the writer says, Today if you hear my voice do not harden your hearts. Where is his voice? V12 says it’s found in the living, effective, penetrating Word of God… and so v11 had told us too make every effort to enter that rest … And I think we need to see that this is MORE than just salvation, this is Sabbath Rest Living.

So as we read, then, we get to v14 – since Jesus has gone to heaven – hold fast to the faith, the confession – and LIVE IN the Rest of Faith that Saves but Also Helps us LIVE. Of course, I don’t mean that you can lose your position by grace through faith, but we need to let our posture remain. We have a High Priest then v15 who can sympathize – New American Standard Greek Lexicon says sumpatheo = to have a fellow feeling with – Ooo I like that. Jesus says, “Hey, I get it.” But he did not sin, he did not come short, because he entered the rest of SUBMISSION. We fight the temptation instead of fighting to ENTER IN. I referenced James 4:7 and it speaks of this – submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee. We have our battles often out of order. God is trying to get us to submit, to obey, to trust, to follow, and we’re saying “hang on a minute, I’m fighting with satan and temptation over here.” NO – SURRENDER – The Battle isn’t over temptation it’s over surrender.

So, v16, therefore – approach the throne of grace with boldness … receive mercy and find grace… – I always call this as the “Whew / Wow” – Mercy is not getting what I deserve, WHEW and Grace is getting more than I could have imagined or asked for, WOW. Get what you need and more than you can imagine – WHEW WOW.

Why? “… to help us in our time of need.” Again, this is MORE than just a salvation event -but this is the every day – “falling short”. I then think of Hebrews 2:18 “for since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted” … This is Spiritual Warfare stuff!

So I immediately think of a life verse for me, 1 Corinthians 10:13 and must recognize that there is not temptation that I face that is not common to man – this is everybody stuff. But God is Faithful – that reminds me that God is In Control. And what I face will not be above which you are able – Man if I’m facing hard temptation, I guess I should take it as a complement that God says, “you got this…” He has confidence in me. And so then he will provide a way out to bear it. Oh my that way out isn’t usually a change in G.P.S. as we know it, but it IS a Godly Position in the Savior – In Temptation – Submit and Rest in Him – Say “Yes” to Jesus and find Strength an Satisfaction.