“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience… For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword… Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession… Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
– Hebrews 4:11–16
This passage is like a threefold summons for the Christian life:
Strive to Enter His Rest (v. 11)
The call to “strive” feels contradictory—how can we strive to rest? But Hebrews is showing us that entering God’s rest isn’t passive. It means resisting the pull of unbelief, distractions, and disobedience. It takes intentional faith to stop grasping for control and instead trust fully in Christ’s finished work.
Listen to His Living Word (vv. 12–13)
We cannot enter that rest without being searched by God’s Word. It is alive and sharp, cutting past the surface to the heart. This can be painful—it exposes motives, intentions, and sins we would rather hide. Yet God doesn’t expose to destroy; He exposes to heal. His Word wounds to bind us back to Himself.
Draw Near to His Throne of Grace (vv. 14–16)
The passage ends not with despair but with invitation. We have a Great High Priest who knows our weakness, feels our struggles, and yet reigns victorious. Because of Him, we can draw near with confidence—not shrinking back in fear, but stepping forward to receive mercy and grace right when we need it most.
Together, these verses teach us a rhythm: striving faith, listening hearts, and confident prayer. We strive against unbelief, we let His Word do its deep work, and we come boldly to His throne, finding in Jesus both rest and strength.
One of the unexpected joys of walking slowly through Hebrews has been how naturally the text pushes me toward worship. What began as study notes often blossoms into lyrics and melody.
I’ve been working to bring these pieces together—my blog at Jayopsis.com and my SoundCloud page. They now link back and forth, so that Scripture study and song can live side by side. My larger goal is to finish a manuscript of devotions from Hebrews and release a companion album inspired by the text.
The Songs from Hebrews 4
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Strive to Rest – inspired by Hebrews 4:11, exploring the paradox of striving to enter God’s rest.
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Sharp Blade – built on Hebrews 4:12–13, reflecting on the piercing, healing work of God’s living Word.
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High Priest – drawn from Hebrews 4:14–16, lifting our eyes to Jesus, the priest who suffered, sacrificed, and now intercedes for us.
All three are now live on SoundCloud and part of a playlist of songs I am developing from Hebrews
Chapters 1–3 have set the stage: Christ is greater than angels, greater than Moses, the builder of God’s house, and the One we must hear lest we drift away. The warnings are sobering: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
Chapter 4 pulls those threads together. The promise of God’s rest remains open, and the failure of Israel in the wilderness serves as both a warning and an invitation. God’s Word cuts to the core of who we are, exposing us completely. And yet, instead of despair, we are called to draw near with confidence because we have a Great High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses.
Looking Ahead
Chapter 5 will carry the theme of priesthood further. Christ, appointed by God, learned obedience through suffering and became the source of eternal salvation. The writer of Hebrews will open a rich treasury of Old Testament imagery—Melchizedek, sacrifice, and covenant—all pointing to Jesus as the fulfillment of every shadow.
The Project
Here’s the journey I’m on:
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Blogging through Hebrews – letting study become devotion.
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Writing songs – letting devotion become worship.
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Linking platforms – so that words and music meet, and anyone who reads can also listen.
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Working toward a manuscript and an album – two different expressions of the same truth.
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