Hebrews 4:11
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Are you taking time to rest?
You understand when you rest you stop working or moving around in order to relax, refresh, and/or recover strength. You need:
- Physical rest.
Jesus recognized and addressed the need for physical rest.
Mark 6:31-32 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. 32 And they went away by themselves in the boat to a secluded place. (Amplified Bible AMP)
- Mental rest.
When you are stressed, unable to resolve issues, can’t see the end of your problem or problems, etc., you become mentally tired. You worry and you don’t have peace. It can cause you to lose sleep, become moody, even depressed.
Proverbs 3:24-26 Your mind will be clear, free from fear; when you lie down to rest, you will be refreshed by sweet sleep. 25 Stay calm; there is no need to be afraid of a sudden disaster or to worry when calamity strikes the wicked, 26 For the Eternal is always there to protect you. He will safeguard your each and every step. (The Voice TVT)
- Spiritual rest.
God rested. Not from a natural perspective, as if He was tired. He implemented the spiritual concept of rest. God rested to teach us to rest. He knew He would require it later (Exodus 20:8-11). He rested as an example for us to understand the importance of rest in our own lives.
Genesis 2:2-3 And by the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it [as His own, that is, set it apart as holy from other days], because in it He rested from all His work which He had created and done. (Amplified Bible AMP)
Without rest, you can become weary in well doing. You will start to work only looking for the end and not rejoicing over the journey. If you are not careful, working, without resting, will cause you to stop working all together. Exhaustion opens doors for the enemy to plant seeds of doubt. He tells you your work is not worth the trials and tests. You lose sight of the reward God has promised. You question why you are doing “all you do”. Disillusionment replaces the benefits of your labor.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (KJV)
Rest and celebrate who you are, what God has done in your life and what He has promised to do.
Please agree with me as I pray:
Father, I thank You for rest. I thank You for instructing me to rest. I repent for those times when I worked, though exhausted. You have told me repeatedly, my exhaustion comes when I take my eyes off You and place them on a nonexistent prize. You know every assignment You have given and will give to me. You know whether it will take a toll on me or whether I will do it effectively and with ease, and move on to the next one. I thank You for Jesus’ example of resting. He would retreat to be replenished and refreshed by You. I celebrate what You’ve done in my life and through my life. Though there may have been bumps along the way and will be more bumps to come; I rejoice in You and I thank You for Your rest…
Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.
Thank You Father for confirming the importance of rest and resting in You…please forgive us for not taking it seriously…and please forgive us for not being obedient to Your word and warnings of how we need to rest….Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy in Jesus’ Name!!!