In Hebrews 4, God tells us in simple terms the difference between those who enter His rest and those who “come short of it.” The Hebrews writer was pleading with his readers not to follow the example of the Israelites, who failed to enter the rest available to them in the Promised Land.
“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them” (i.e., each had equal opportunity from hearing the message and promises of God); “but the word which they heard did not profit them…” The word that the Israelites heard was the Word of God—His message of deliverance and promise of rest. How could God’s Word possibly not profit them? The answer—the word was “not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (Heb. 4:2).
It’s not enough to simply hear (or read) the Word (cf. Jas. 1:21-25)! One must mix it with faith! But faith here is not just a belief in one’s heart—it is belief that is mixed with obedient works (cf. Jas. 2:19-26)! For God’s Word to truly profit you, it must be mixed with a faithful life!