“For good news came to us just as it did to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.”

What was and is the good news? Their good news was given by God and two of the witnesses. The promised land was everything God had said, and with His help, they could take the land. It was good news because they had been wandering for some time and had experienced difficulties in their wandering. Now, at last, God had brought them to the edge of the land and the end of their journey. They had two choices: obey and enter the land; disobey and die in the wilderness.

Good news came to the Christians addressed in the letter as well. This time the witness was God’s Son. He came to secure the promise, and He did. Now, Christians must decide to follow Him into the promised rest or die in the world they traverse. The Israelite children received no benefit from the message of the faithful spies because they refused to believe and act on that belief. The same is true for Christians today. We have heard the good news that Jesus brought, and we know that He has preceded us into the heaven of heavens to prepare our place of rest. The question remains, “Do we unite with faith with all those who have heard from God and trusted Him enough to obey?”

Task for Today: Have you heard the good news? Do you believe it? If these two things are true, then unite with all who are looking for a home not made with hands. Set your sights on heaven and don’t turn away. Keep the course, finish the race. Be proactive in your quest for the rest of God.