The Promise of Rest
1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them,[a] not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:
although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; [c] 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”[d]
6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
The Word Discovers Our Condition
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Our Compassionate High Priest
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Footnotes:
- Hebrews 4:2 NU-Text and M-Text read profit them, since they were not united by faith with those who heeded it.
- Hebrews 4:3 Psalm 95:11
- Hebrews 4:4 Genesis 2:2
- Hebrews 4:5 Psalm 95:11
- Hebrews 4:7 Psalm 95:7, 8
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Tao Te Ching (The Way)
by Lao-tzu
translated by: J. Legge
10
When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in oneembrace, they can be kept from separating. When one gives undivided
attention to the (vital) breath, and brings it to the utmost degree of
pliancy, he can become as a (tender) babe. When he has cleansed away
the most mysterious sights (of his imagination), he can become without
a flaw.
In loving the people and ruling the state, cannot he proceed
without any (purpose of) action? In the opening and shutting of his
gates of heaven, cannot he do so as a female bird? While his
intelligence reaches in every direction, cannot he (appear to) be
without knowledge?
(The Tao) produces (all things) and nourishes them; it produces
them and does not claim them as its own; it does all, and yet does not
boast of it; it presides over all, and yet does not control them.
This is what is called 'The mysterious Quality' (of the Tao).
~~~~~
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| Pir Zia Inayat-Khan |
Commentaries on the “Silver Rules”
of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan
by Pir Zia Inayat-Khan
Silver Rule 10
My conscientious self: Let not your spirit be humbled in adversity.
The wheel of fortune continuously revolves and fortunes rise and fall; wealth is gained and lost. Fame is gained and lost. Power is gained and lost. When we invest our spirit in circumstances, as our circumstances change our spirit rises or falls: when we prosper we are thrilled, when our fortune declines we are despondent and in despair. We are subject to circumstance; we are the victims of fate. But when the spirit’s meaning, purpose, and satisfaction indwell, circumstances are secondary. Whether one enjoys riches and power or is impoverished and powerless, the spirit remains connected to the Source, and it flourishes. It is not dependent on any outer thing or condition. Whatever may be thought about you, whatever may be said about you, is ultimately irrelevant, because the spirit basks in the glow of Eternal Light. Then one no longer need fear the world and its vicissitudes because one is in the world but not of the world. That is why the dervishes—who wear dusty, tattered robes and possess nothing—when they meet each other, hail each other saying, “O King of Kings, O Emperor of Emperors.” To the eyes of the world this seems ridiculous, and yet they know the secret of true kingship, true queenliness, the freedom of the spirit.
My conscientious self: Let not your spirit be humbled in adversity.
Printed with permission of the Sufi Order International.
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Father, in You do we place our trust. You are our strength and shield. As sons we the earth is revived in all its glory; the knowledge of You is seen in all the earth. We love and adore You in Jesus name, amen.
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