“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”
Genesis 2:2 KJV
I recently read a Facebook post which said that our generation glorifies workaholics and busyness. I totally agree. We tend to admire those who pour out everything attempting to be successful. Overtime, working weekends, and working during set vacation time is honored and applauded. Exhaustion is the prize for which we strive.
Last week prior to my vacation I engaged in conversations about all the work I HAD to do or all the work colleagues HAD to accomplish while taking off from their jobs. It was as though we were bragging about the fact we couldn’t stop our vital tasks. We settled into and encouraged continuing work.
Well, I’ve got important news for you today –
Even God rested.
After finishing only 6 days of a large complicated project, the Creator of this world and all in it, RESTED. It was so important that He “rest,” that it is mentioned in verse 2 of chapter 2 of Genesis. It is so important, rest is also listed as one of the 10 Commandments from God shared by Moses.
“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, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:9-11 KJV
What does that say or mean to us? Rest is a crucial part of life. Yes, the verse above speaks to the need for us to designate a day to consecrate to God – but it also emphasizes the concept of rest. Physically and spiritually it is key to man’s productivity and effectiveness.
In addition, the above verses in Exodus demonstrate that we should encourage others to rest. The commandment goes as far to mention servants and even cattle of the household needed to rest from labor!
When looking up the definition of rest, it brings up two notions: freedom from activity or labor and a state of motionlessness or inactivity. Peace is too stated in the dictionary as an explanation of rest.
Regardless, the significance of rest to a believer is vital.
Rest gives us time to:
Reflect– “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, Because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; Therefore will I hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 KJV
Restore/Readjust– “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy spirit from me.”
Psalm 51:5-11 KJV
Revitalize– “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14 KJV
As I wake early Monday morning during my week of vacation staring at the waves rolling onto the beach – I am reminded that it is imperative that I take time to rest. I need to shut down my brain and body so that I can be more effective and productive when I return. I need to consecrate, recharge, and attempt to refresh to continue this battle of life.
You need to rest too…
lifeandgodliness 