For all those ‘daily grind’ folks who say, ‘no days off,’ God says ‘One day off’…every week. That’s right, God commands us to rest. There is some debate about which day is considered the Sabbath for Christians: Is it the last day of the week as observed by Jews? Or is it Sunday, the Lord’s Day? And even whether it is still a requirement now that the Sabath command for rest has been fulfilled in Christ Jesus Who gives us rest. The bottom line is that we need both physical rest from work as well as spiritual rest.
“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?”
– Jesus (Mark 8:36)
Why God Commanded a Day of Rest
Other than the fact that we need rest to avoid physical exhaustion, it also helps reduce stress when we take time off. The mental break that rest provides helps our brains to continue to function creatively. This probably explains why I feel so inspired and motivated after taking some time off for rest and relaxation.
God also wants us to rest so that we learn to trust and depend on Him (Psalms 37:7; Philippians 4:6). If we focus only on work, we run the risk of turning our work into an idol. And that leads to forgetting that God is our Provider, not our jobs. He wants us to balance our work with other things. We should also spend time with Him, with family, and with rest and relaxation. God loves us and knows what is best for us.
Benefits of Rest
God gives us rest from work, that is true (Exodus 23:12). He wants us to be refreshed. But He also gives us rest from other things:
He gives us rest from troubles.
God wants us to enjoy being still.
“He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while”—for there were many [people who were continually] coming and going, and they could not even find time to eat.” – Jesus (Mark 6:31 AMP)
See Related: My Self-Care Routine
He gives us rest from anxiety.
God wants to give us His peace.
“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” – Philippians 4:6-7 AMP
He gives us rest in our salvation.
This kind of rest is only possible when we understand that the promise of salvation is based on our belief in Jesus’ finished work on the cross, not in our works.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.” – Jesus (Matthew 11:28-29 AMP)
See Related: Becoming a Daughter of God
He gives us rest from stress
God wants us to confidently trust in Him and His provision; He wants to take away our burdens.
“Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him; Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.” – Psalms 37:7 AMP
He gives us rest from social strife.
“But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there be no divisions or factions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith].” – 1 Corinthians 1:10 AMP
He gives us rest from fear.
“It is vain for you to rise early, To retire late, To eat the bread of anxious labors— For He gives [blessings] to His beloved even in his sleep.” – Psalms 127:2 AMP
He gives us rest from war.
“He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow into pieces and snaps the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. ‘Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.’” – Psalms 46:9-10 AMP
See Related: 7 Ways to Renew Your Mind as a Daughter of God
Include Rest This Labor Day Weekend
On Labor Day, we celebrate the contributions and achievements of American workers, but Labor Day weekend eventually began to symbolize the end of summer for many Americans, particularly for children and young adults heading back to school. The celebration is, therefore, now less focused on parades and speeches and more on the beach and cookouts.
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Labor Day, the opportunity for rest should be taken. It is good for our mental and spiritual health, for our physical lives, as well as for our relationships, including our relationship with Jesus. While we are resting our minds, we should also take some time to remind ourselves of the Gospel of Christ. God wants us to have rest for our souls, and not just on the days we have off, but every day. Rest is a sign that we trust Him. (Psalm 37:7; Philippians 4:6).
This Labor Day Weekend, follow God’s example of a work/rest pattern (Genesis 2:2) and be sure to enjoy His gift of rest.
Happy Labor Day Weekend!
See Related: 7 Ways to Experience Joy in Your Everyday Life
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I needed this reminder to rest. It’s so easy to just move on to the next thing on our to-do list. But God wants us to rest. It’s important.
Yes, He does! I needed this reminder, too. 😊🙏🏽
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