1. The Wilderness Journey and the Significance of Seven Years
Hebrews 4:1–13 contains a profound teaching about rest. The phrase, “Now we who have believed enter that rest” (Heb. 4:3), clearly indicates what kind of rest God gives us through Jesus Christ and who can participate in it. Building on this passage, Pastor David Jang has consistently emphasized that, unlike the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness yet failed to enter God’s rest, there surely remains a rest prepared by God for those who keep their faith, hold onto the gospel, and persevere to the end. The real meaning of that rest is not merely physical relaxation, but the true peace of the soul found in God.
This theme is deeply connected to the importance of “faith and obedience” mentioned in the text. Citing the example of those who failed to enter the rest because of disobedience in the wilderness (Heb. 3:19), the author of Hebrews strongly warns us not to repeat the same folly. What the text particularly emphasizes, though, is the holy rest that surpasses the old system or the law—a rest completed by “Jesus Christ.” Rather than the land (Canaan) or the kind of rest led by Moses or Joshua, the focus is on salvation and the eternal rest that we receive in Christ Jesus. Pastor David Jang calls this “the true rest that begins when we meet Jesus, when we are forgiven through His blood.”
Psalm 95:8 and the verses that follow—“Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness”—are crucial in recalling events from Exodus. We are reminded of the Israelites who, upon finding no water, grumbled against God, tested Him, and even blamed Moses. Although they had been slaves in Egypt, once dramatically freed, they quickly forgot God’s grace in the wilderness and reverted to dissatisfaction and resentment—a scene that sounds a loud warning both spiritually and historically.
What is astonishing is that even in the face of the people’s complaints and rebellion, God still provided water from the rock to sustain them. However, through that incident, Moses himself revealed his anger (Num. 20:10–12), resulting in his inability to enter the Promised Land. Hebrews 3 and 4 detail these events, vividly illustrating the consequences of disobedience and hardened hearts. Focusing on this point, Pastor David Jang notes, “Before God, both the people’s complaining and the leader’s anger become obstacles preventing them from entering His rest.” This is a pivotal reminder, prompting us to consider again what God truly desires of us.
In this same context, the idea of “seven years” naturally connects to the recurring biblical symbolism of the number seven. In Genesis, God created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh day. The significance of the “seventh day”—the origin of the Sabbath—goes beyond a mere number, encompassing creation, all creatures, and even the work of redemption. Pastor David Jang has proposed that “we can apply this meaning of a ‘spiritual seventh day’ to our faith,” emphasizing that “the struggles and labors of our life can be likened to the six days of work, and only after those six days can we enjoy God’s true rest, which is found in Jesus Christ.”
How, then, does a “seven-year” journey specifically apply to us? In this sermon, the preacher confesses, “Over the past seven years, we truly had no rest, but now, in this seventh year, we have at last found rest.” This sentiment is reminiscent of the Israelites finally entering the Promised Land after their wilderness wanderings. Indeed, like a wilderness, the past years were filled with countless trials and hardships—at times so severe that one felt like giving up. Yet the testimony here is that, by God’s guidance, we find ourselves in this very place today—a confession of faith.
Particularly emphasized in this process is “the absence of complaint” and “the absence of angry outbursts.” During the wilderness journey, whenever there was lack or difficulty, from a human perspective, there may have been many opportunities to be discouraged or to blame someone. However, it is never easy to choose gratitude and praise in such circumstances. We see in Exodus that the Israelites—dramatically rescued from slavery in Egypt—would immediately yearn for their past at even the smallest hardship. Humans are easily swayed and changeable.
Nevertheless, it was God who enabled them (and us) to endure those moments of trial, and the method He used was the “gospel,” which is the core message of this sermon. Without the gospel—without the assurance that comes through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ—our human nature would quickly reach its limits. As Pastor David Jang says, “We did not overcome because we had accumulated a great deal of biblical knowledge. Rather, because God’s grace worked within us through the gospel, we were able to conquer complaint, restrain anger, and maintain a heart of thanksgiving.” This highlights that the power of the cross is ultimately what empowers the believer.
When this “wilderness journey” is compared to a seven-year period, the starting point could have been 6 Barclay Street in Manhattan—where there was nothing at all—or it could have been somewhere else for different individuals. What matters is that it began in a “wilderness-like place.” With neither financial security, nor sufficient manpower, nor a stable environment, the ministry and movement had to be carried out amid precarious conditions. Fears arose, and the possibility of failure seemed omnipresent. In each of those moments, the only hope was the faith that “God is with us” and the gospel-based conviction that “if the Lord says it, it will be done.”
The span of seven years, whether seen as long or short, is nevertheless enough time that some people have walked through that wilderness together. That is why today’s sermon repeatedly underscores, “You were not like the people of Moses; you did not complain or grow angry. You did not forget God’s grace but meditated on it and persevered.” This is a statement about following the model of “faith and obedience” found in Hebrews, signifying a resolution never to let go of the rest that Jesus Christ offers.
In the Bible, “rest” does not simply mean that all problems disappear or that there is nothing left to do. Complete rest, rather, is closer to the inner peace experienced by those who fully submit to God’s guidance in the midst of His ongoing work. We see an illustration of this in Nehemiah 6, when the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls is finished and neighboring peoples become fearful, admitting, “this work had been done with the help of our God” (Neh. 6:16). Their demoralization testifies that what seemed impossible had been accomplished by God’s power. This parallels the present situation in which a seven-year wilderness journey transitions into rest. As soon as people realize it is God Himself who has done it, His name is exalted, and praise and thanksgiving naturally follow.
Pastor David Jang has repeatedly stressed that in God’s work, “human attributes do not count for much. Our accomplishments or things we might boast about do not achieve the work; it is only by God’s grace.” Alongside that point is another undeniable truth: “Those who hold onto that grace will surely be granted rest.” While this truth appears in the Old Testament exodus event, it finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Why should we refrain from anger, complaining, and outbursts in our wilderness times? It is because such moments are part of submitting to God’s process of purging our inner sin and pride. If our hearts remain filled with grumbling and rage, we cannot taste the rest God has prepared. It might seem as if we can suppress complaints and anger by our own strength, but without the gospel’s power, we cannot fundamentally resolve them. Only through the transforming power of Christ’s blood and the Holy Spirit bearing fruit within us do we truly become ready to enter His rest.
After completing our own “spiritual seven-year wilderness,” this new season of “rest” is a turning point not just for the faith community but for each individual believer. It is not simply “Now we can take a break” in a physical sense but a “time of renewal,” enabling us to press forward with the next ministry or next path that God opens for us. While rest in Christ is a goal in itself, it also becomes a foundation for the future and for new callings.
In many cases, rest shines more brilliantly when it follows suffering. There is a saying that one cannot fully realize the sweetness of rest without having gone through the wilderness. The past seven years of difficulties have allowed us to discover “how immense God’s grace was, how the gospel supported me throughout,” and thus, when the Lord summons us again to a new workplace, a new community, or a new mission field, we can advance confidently with renewed faith.
Pastor David Jang emphasizes that “Canaan is both the place where the promise is fulfilled and another arena of spiritual battle.” In actuality, just as the Israelites had to take possession of the land after entering Canaan, believers today, while enjoying rest in Christ Jesus, must still fight spiritual battles in the world. But because our starting point is in God, and the nature of that battle is to journey with Christ, who has already won, we can be courageous. Moreover, the sermon teaches that “to maintain an attitude of rest” is precisely the way to cooperate with God’s plan of salvation and fulfill the mission He entrusts to us.
Thus, the theme of “the wilderness journey” recurs in both biblical history and our personal walk of faith. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul reflects on the exodus story, saying, “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” It coincides with the emphasis in Hebrews: “Enter the rest that they failed to enter.” The point is not “we are more righteous than they were,” but rather “we must learn from their failure and continue on with faith and obedience to the end.” The One who empowers us to complete that journey is Jesus Christ.
In today’s sermon, it is strongly stated that “those who grumbled ultimately did not enter this land with us. But we, who walked this road in the gospel, have arrived.” This distinction essentially amounts to whether one holds fast to the cross and resurrection of the gospel. In the wilderness, the Israelites were called to trust the Lord God, and likewise, we are to cling to Christ and be guided by the Holy Spirit. Those who trust the promise that will be realized in Him do not bring about their own downfall through complaint and anger, even in the wilderness.
Psalm 66:16 declares, “Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me.” Looking back on these seven years, we find an array of miracles and fruit that defy human calculations. Such experiences become a steadfast pillar for the next seven years of spiritual conflict—or even beyond. Whether we face a new wilderness in our ministry or in daily life, God will guide us, and in Christ Jesus, we will have rest day by day. This is the principle of the “spiritual wilderness and rest” that Pastor David Jang has continually highlighted, and it ultimately shows that God intends to bring His people into “true rest and salvation.”
2. The Power of the Gospel and Victory in Jesus Christ
Moving on to the latter part of Hebrews 4 (vv. 12–13), we encounter a strong proclamation: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Here we witness the power of God’s Word. Often, when this passage is cited in a sermon or Bible study, the focus is on how “the Word transforms us and reveals our innermost being.” Pastor David Jang goes further, stating, “This Word is not merely informative; it is a living weapon that brings about real application and victory in our lives.”
What kind of victory does this refer to? It is the victory that expels from our hearts any form of sin, fear, grumbling, anger, or hatred, ultimately allowing us to enjoy true freedom and rest in God. When the Word goes to work within us, we examine ourselves through it: “Why am I angry now? What distrust underlies my complaints?” We can pose these questions in earnest, and as we repent of these sins and weaknesses, we undergo a transformation toward the holiness of Christ.
The fundamental engine behind this transformation is the gospel—the good news of salvation accomplished by Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, delivering every believer from sin and death. Pastor David Jang states, “When we cling to the essence of the gospel, we gain unwavering strength and hope, whatever wilderness we face.” This is also tied to our identity being renewed in Christ. Formerly sinners who were to be judged, we have now become righteous children of God and no longer succumb to despair in the face of hardship and adversity. Rather, we see hardship as part of God’s loving discipline that shapes us, and we walk on, witnessing how great His power truly is.
When the wilderness lengthens and we remain in an uncertain or hostile environment, anyone can easily grow weary or feel the urge to give up. Some might vent their frustration or blame others. Yet those who truly hold onto the gospel and walk with Jesus Christ do not lose heart. Instead, they turn their gaze to God. That is the path that leads to “entering His rest.”
In Hebrews 4:3, we read a bold statement: “Now we who have believed enter that rest.” This is possible precisely because believing in Jesus goes beyond intellectual agreement or emotional response; it involves entrusting our entire life to Him. At times, that path may be as grueling as Moses’ wilderness, but the end point is the rest God has prepared. Pastor David Jang repeatedly stresses, “The key to entering that rest is the gospel, and living by that gospel is the path every believer must follow.”
Moreover, the power of the gospel reaches us through “the Word of God.” As Hebrews says, the Word is “living and active,” conveying a dynamic, transforming force rather than merely inert sentences on a page. For example, Psalm 95 exhorts, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” This spurs us to open our hearts and obey whenever we truly hear the Lord’s voice—when the Holy Spirit guides us in our day-to-day life. Disobedience to that voice can lead us to miss the rest God has promised, reenacting the fate of the Israelites in the wilderness.
What is crucial to note is that, as powerful and penetrating as God’s Word is, if we refuse to heed it or actively reject it, it accomplishes nothing for us. The Word can indeed penetrate down to our conscience, but if our hearts remain unrepentant, no transformation follows. In other words, the power and activity of the Word, along with the gospel, presuppose a posture of receptiveness and obedience in us. Yet even our obedience does not rely on human effort alone; we depend on the Holy Spirit’s help. Jesus Christ sends the Holy Spirit to us, which means that from start to finish, our ability to enter His rest relies entirely on Christ.
What does a life of concretely experiencing the gospel’s victorious power look like? As we traverse the wilderness, each instance of God’s guidance reinforces our conviction that “God is faithful.” In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul enumerates the Exodus events—“all were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea…”—not to document them as mere history but to remind us of the spiritual lessons they carry for today.
We learn what is truly necessary to enter God’s rest through our wilderness experiences. If we choose praise over complaint, self-control over anger, and faith over doubt, the door to rest stands wide open. The key that makes this possible is the gospel, and the community that receives it is the church. As pointed out in this sermon, “Our church and its members walked through the wilderness without complaining, and we have arrived,” underscoring a communal dimension to rest.
A church is not just a collection of many individuals; rather, it is one “body” under Christ as its head (1 Cor. 12). Accordingly, the power of the gospel is not restricted to the individual level but impacts the entire community. Pastor David Jang teaches that “when we encourage one another and walk together in faith, even our conflicts and mistakes become sanctified by the gospel, ultimately yielding holy fruit.” This indicates that the journey to rest is not only an individual matter but also involves collective faithfulness in community.
When a community enters rest, it marks the beginning of a new chapter of calling. In Nehemiah 6, after the wall was completed, the surrounding enemies were frightened and demoralized. This was because God stood with His people; it also signaled that the restored people, having seen the physical sign of “a completed wall,” were now ready for the next stage of their mission. Similarly, after seven years of hardship, our entrance into rest is not just a balm that makes us forget our past struggles but also a platform from which we reach for new vision and purpose.
Of course, experiencing rest does not guarantee that no further hardship will arise. Faith, in many ways, can be seen as an ongoing series of spiritual challenges. But once a person has tasted that rest and the intimacy with God it brings, no storm can overpower them. Someone whose life is anchored in the gospel cannot be separated from Christ’s love (Rom. 8:35–39). The experience of rest affirms that truth, strengthening our “faith muscles” and preparing us for whatever lies ahead.
Pastor David Jang repeatedly proclaims, “When we hold onto the gospel in Jesus Christ, we ultimately move toward victory.” This is not unfounded optimism but a promise grounded in Christ’s accomplished victory. Because Jesus broke the power of sin and death on the cross and triumphed over death through His resurrection, those who belong to Him already possess the certainty of victory. Rest is the fruit of that victory, as well as a life-giving oasis along the journey toward it.
The crucial issue, then, is the extent to which we consistently cling to the gospel in our daily lives. As today’s sermon states, “We may be doing many things, but we do them all through the power of the Word.” Without the guiding light of Scripture, our plans soon revert to humanistic calculations and selfish desires. But if we walk according to the Word, we are not easily overwhelmed by complaint or anger even in the wilderness, and we experience supernatural provision. Just as God brought forth water from the rock or provided manna and quail, He continues to do miracles in our day.
Such miracles invariably result in the confession “God did it.” In Nehemiah’s time, fear gripped the enemies not because the Israelites themselves were so formidable but because of the God behind them. Likewise, a community that dwells in God’s rest by the power of the gospel becomes a striking testimony to onlookers: “How do they remain standing amid such hardships? Why do they choose praise and thanksgiving instead of complaining and anger?” These questions find one answer: “They are living by the gospel in Jesus Christ.”
Hence, a life that tangibly experiences the gospel’s power extends beyond private testimony and impacts the faith community—and even missions. In a world where many either have not heard the gospel or misunderstand it, the church’s example of “rest” and “victory” shows them a path to discovering the truth. Thus, we begin to fulfill the Great Commission to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:18–20).
Victory in Jesus Christ is intimately woven into the promise of rest described in Hebrews. This rest corresponds to the “eternal rest” associated with complete salvation but also includes the “present rest” we can enjoy each day. The gospel is the gateway into that rest, and Jesus Himself says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). This promise applies to any person, at any time, in any place, as long as they turn to Him.
Pastor David Jang often concludes by saying, “To live by the gospel is not merely to confess Jesus as Savior; it means allowing the blood of Christ and His power to transform our daily lives.” This is by no means an overstatement. If the gospel does not change our actual lives, we can easily fall back into the same cycle of complaint and anger that brought down the Israelites in Moses’ day. But when we are gripped by the gospel, guided by Scripture, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we break free from our habitual stumbling and step into a path defined by rest and victory.
Today’s sermon concludes with this message: “It is Jesus Christ—greater than Moses or Joshua—who invites us into His rest. Heed the historical lessons articulated by the writer of Hebrews, remember the warnings from Exodus and Psalm 95, and live anchored in the gospel.” This is not just a fleeting encouragement but a principle that threads through our entire spiritual journey. Moreover, the testimonies of those who have endured these seven years of wilderness confirm it: “We have overcome—not because we held onto God, but because He held onto us.” As long as this confession resonates in the hearts of believers, nothing can take away the rest we have in God.
As Pastor David Jang often proclaims, “All credit belongs to God; we simply live each day by the gospel, thankful for His grace.” Indeed, that is one of the most moving teachings in Hebrews 4, and it remains a timeless spiritual principle. If we have overcome a wilderness of seven years, then another seven years is likewise possible. Whether it is seven, seventy, or even seven hundred years, the truth does not change. The gospel stands forever, and the rest promised by Jesus Christ is accessible now to those who believe. Clinging to that truth and living each day in renewed faith is the privilege of every believer. No adversary can steal the rest that is ours in God. Let us remember that this rest is the blessed news we are called to embrace and to share with the world.