• 2 Corinthians 1:20
  For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
• 2 Corinthians 7:1
  Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
• Galatians 3:21
  Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

Beginning with 2 Corinthians 1:20 recognize that there is not just one promise. Are we clear about all the promises of God?

Secondly see that a yes can only be found in Christ Jesus. Apart from Jesus we cannot receive those promises. Amen in that verse could be read as “I agree with you Father God.”

In the second verse we discover that we have to make the effort in order for those promises of God to be activated in us. It is similar but not exactly the same as a lamp in a dark room where we have to flip the switch in order for the source of electricity to be connected to the light bulb.

In our house there are five light switches by the front door. We only see which switch works in what area by testing them over and over again until we learn which switch works in the right area.

2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

If we feel ashamed of ourselves we will hide our faces from God just like Adam did. It isn’t as easy as flipping a switch but one of those switches might be attached to confession and repentance. That also is one of God’s promises.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 If being selfish isn’t working out, flip the switch.

Matthew 10:38

And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

The cross is a symbol of sacrifice. Are we willing to sacrifice self-interest in order to have Jesus in our lives?

• Matthew 6:26
  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
  
• Matthew 8:20
  And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

Comparing these two verses places us in a position where we might be able to see that God provides for our needs but not our wants. Not having a place to lay His head is an indication that having a lavish home does not allow Him to find rest.

Hebrews 4:1

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

• Hebrews 4:10
  for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
• Hebrews 4:11
  Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

What sort of disobedience is the writer of Hebrews speaking about?

Hebrews 3:19

So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

Before we jump into a misconception that they could not enter into His rest we should not take one line of verse to answer all our questions. We should look closely again at Hebrews 4:1 and attach the word promise to this important issue.

These were a people set free from the slavery of Egypt and were supposed to enter into the Promised Land. Every one of them died in the wilderness that came out of Egypt except Joshua and Caleb who spied out the land and believed God’s promise.