Hebrews 4: 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath 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.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Odd sentence, let us labour therefore to enter into that rest. Labor to rest? Perhaps in my life I have known a few people who work very hard at being lazy as though it were their job; but, I am certain that is not what this scripture refers to. Remember the writer is speaking to the early Jewish Christians who are very familiar with their distant ancestors wandering in the wilderness for 40 years because their idleness drew them away from believing in God’s promises. Their idleness had led to their bickering, worrying, and discontent with God. They could not patiently, hopefully rest in the promises of God. So this labor is referring to our diligently seeking to know Him more, to remain vigilant in prayer and to study His word so that we might know and rest in His promises. We must cease from our own striving to do the work so that we might allow Him to work out His righteousness through us. This is a matter of the heart and faith. Do I truly believe that God has saved me and that He has provided for me His righteousness? If so, then my actions will display that. If I believe that God has conquered sin and set me free from it’s power, again I will rest in that promise and will not be burdened with fighting it in my own might-rather I will rest in Him, placing every temptation quickly at His feet. If I believe that God has the best plan for my life, why would I ever fret or worry. All of this is a matter of faith. I rest in His promises, if I believe He is the Creator of the Universe and that He provides for those who seek Him with all their heart. My only labor is to continually cling to and seek to follow after Christ and His promises. I am to continue to study His Word to show myself approved by God–because if I truly in my heart see Him as my greatest treasure; how could I do less than to seek to know Him more?.