Note: ”The writer mentioned two different ‘rests’ found in Old Testament history: (1) God's Sabbath rest, when He ceased from His Creation activities (Gen. 2:2; Heb. 4:4); (2) Israel's rest in Canaan (Deut. 12:9; Josh. 21:43-45; Heb. 3:11). But he saw in these "rests" illustrations of the spiritual experiences of believers today. The Sabbath rest is a picture of our rest in Christ through salvation (Heb. 4:3; see Matt. 11:28). The Canaan rest is a picture of our present rest as we claim our inheritance in Christ (Heb. 4:11-13; note the emphasis on the Word of God). The first is the rest of salvation; the second is the rest of submission.”

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“But there is a third rest that enters into the discussion, that future rest that all believers will enjoy with God. ‘There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God’ (Heb. 4:9)...When the saints enter heaven, it will be like sharing God's great Sabbath rest, with all labors and battles ended (Rev. 14:13)...”

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“The Canaan rest for Israel is a picture of the spiritual rest we find in Christ when we surrender to Him. When we come to Christ by faith, we find salvation rest (Matt. 11:28). When we yield and learn of Him and obey Him by faith, we enjoy submission rest (Matt. 11:29-30). The first is ‘peace with God’ (Rom. 5:1); the second is the ‘peace of God’ (Phil. 4:6-8). It is by believing that we enter into rest (Heb. 4:3); it is by obeying God by faith and surrendering to His will that the rest enters into us.”*

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1. Rest in God: When we have accepted Christ, we are guaranteed of our “salvation rest” and our “future rest” in heaven; however, we are to be diligent to enter into the “submission rest” when we yield to and obey God (v.11). Examine your life and see if you are enjoying His peace and resting in Him. Try listing some of the hindrances for you to enter that rest. Cast all these hindrances before God and commit to live a life of obedience so that you could enjoy the submission rest.

2. Read His Word: The Word of God is living and active. Commit to read, to memorize, and to practice His Word. Try setting up a schedule for your daily Bible reading and memorization. Evaluate your progress in a month and revise your schedule as needed.

3. Pray to God: Jesus is our high priest and is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. Reflect upon your life and see what kind of struggles that you are going through. Cast all your burdens to Him and trust in His deliverance. Also, try to set up a regular time to approach the throne of grace daily.  

4. Your own insight: (fill in yourself) 

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Meditation and Application:

Meditate on the above questions along with the necessary actions. Evaluate your devotional and prayer life, and try scheduling that into your daily routine.

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*Bible Exposition Commentary (BE Series) - New Testament, Volume 2.