The Lord Himself established the principle of rest at the very foundation of creation, when He “rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made” (Genesis 2:2).
The Divine Command of Rest
Our Lord, in His infinite wisdom, knew that man would need rest, both for body and soul. Thus He commanded, “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work” (Exodus 20:9-10). This commandment was not given as a burden, but as a blessing – a divine gift to His children.
Consider, dear reader, how our Savior Jesus Christ demonstrated this truth. When His disciples were worn with labor, He said unto them, “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat” (Mark 6:31). Even in the midst of His vital ministry, Christ understood the necessity of withdrawal and repose.
The Peril of Constant Labor
Many a soul today finds themselves caught in the snare of endless activity. They rise early and retire late, consuming their days with labor and their nights with care. Yet the Psalmist wisely observed, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2).
How often do we, in our modern haste, forget the example of Mary, who chose to sit at Jesus’ feet while Martha was “cumbered about much serving” (Luke 10:40)? Our Lord’s gentle rebuke to Martha speaks to many hearts today: “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part” (Luke 10:41-42).
Finding True Rest in Christ
The greatest rest, beloved, is not merely physical repose, but the spiritual rest found in our Lord Jesus Christ. He beckons to all who labor: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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” (Matthew 11:28-29).
This rest is not idleness, but rather a divine peace that passes understanding. It is the rest of knowing that our eternal salvation is secure in Christ, that our daily bread is provided by our Heavenly Father, and that “all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28).
Practical Applications for Today
- Set Apart Sacred Time Remember the Sabbath principle – establish a regular time for rest and worship. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). In our busy world, this requires deliberate effort and planning.
- Guard Your Rest As Nehemiah guarded Jerusalem’s walls, so must we guard our times of rest from the intrusion of worldly cares. “When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone?” (Job 7:4). Let us not be as Job in his distress, but rather find sweet repose in God’s care.
- Seek Spiritual Refreshment Make time daily for prayer and meditation upon God’s Word. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jeremiah 15:16).
- Learn to Say “Nay” Even as our Lord sometimes withdrew from the multitudes, we too must learn when to decline additional commitments. “Let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay” (James 5:12).
The Promise of Eternal Rest
As we journey through this earthly pilgrimage, let us remember that our Lord has prepared an eternal rest for His people. “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9). This promise should comfort our hearts and strengthen our resolve to maintain proper balance in our earthly duties.
In this busy world that ceases not from its labors, let us remember that rest is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom. It is not merely a physical necessity, but a spiritual discipline established by God Himself. Let us therefore “labour to enter into that rest” (Hebrews 4:11), knowing that in Christ we find not only rest for our bodies, but perfect peace for our souls.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
May the Lord bless you and keep you as you seek His rest in these turbulent times.
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