Hebrews 4:4-11
4 “….And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
5 And in this place again, if they shall enter into my rest.
6 Seeing therefore it remains that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief.
7 Again he limits a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time, as it is said, Today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then he would not afterwards have spoken of another day.
9 There remains therefore a REST to the people of God.
10 For he that has entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest , lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

To enter into the REST of God demands a “labour”, (see verse 11.)

1 Timothy 6:12 encourages us to “fight the good fight ” of faith. There is a struggle that takes place within me to enter into “God’s rest” for my life.

Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” There is spiritual warfare that takes place within my heart – Great faith is not necessarily the absence of doubt, but the triumph and victory over it!

We all experience times when we have to deal with anxiety, doubt or unbelief. Philippians 2:12 encourages us to “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” and to enter into the rest and peace of God. We have to address these issues in our hearts.

Romans 10:10 “With the heart man believes…”

As a man “…thinks in his heart, so is he,” Proverbs 23:7.

My heart is the same fertile ground for God or the devil – faith or unbelief. What am I believing? Is it the word of God – TRUTH? Or is it the lie of the devil? – both produce consequences in my life. This is the warfare that takes place within my heart – whether to believe God or doubt Him. Victory triumphs when I let God be true and believe His word over the voices of doubt. As we have mentioned in previous weeks – ALL FEAR IS BUILT ON A LIE! The lie being the child of the devil.

John 8:44 Jesus said, addressing the Pharisees, “You are of your father, the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie he speaks of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

The condition of my heart reflects whether I am believing God – evident in my peace and joy, or whether I am believing the devil, evident in fear built on a lie. Whilst my outward circumstances might be the same in either situation, the inner condition of my heart is ruled by my believing. Romans 3:4 “…let God be true, but every man a liar…” My heart must bow to the truth of God in it’s believing and make itself a liar.

1 John 3:19-21
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.”

Verse 20 declares that God is greater than our heart! We can stand firm in the provision of the armour of God, unfurling the banner of His truth declared in His word, and raising it as a flag to fly high from the castle of our hearts to show the King, our glorious King Jesus, is in residence there!

TRUTH WILL STAND!