Rest. It's one of the things that we most seek, but because of the things we serve (work, hobbies, sports, busy-ness, etc.), we rarely take it. Rest is something mandated by God. From Genesis 2: "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation."
God rested. God mandated rest, so why do we struggle with it so much? Think about even your rest times. Mine are filled with TV, Computer games, radio, and noise. I don't truly rest. I occupy my time. A Sabbath, a day of Holiness, a time of rest is to re-energize us, to shift our focus completely on God, and to let HIM be our rest. Not our Worship, not our business, not our rituals...GOD to be our rest.
Jesus said "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest." (See below). Jesus wants us to give ALL of our cares, worry, work, everything over to Him. If He is the Lord of your life, He is the one responsible for the outcome. We find our rest only as we submit in total to Him. Is God your rest? Do you let God be enough? Matthew 11:25-30 English Standard Version (ESV)
Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest
25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.[a] 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 11:26 Or for so it pleased you well
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