“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”
Hebrews 4:9-11 ESV
Every morning I will check my Fitbit watch to see how much sleep I got the night before. It calculates a sleep score based on how many hours I slept and how often I woke up by keeping up with my heart rate. It’s crazy what these things can do now. I know how important a good nights rest is for my body but honestly I just don’t make myself get in bed on time to get the appropriate rest. My sleep score will reveal the truth of that.
Sadly, this is how we can be with God. His word says, He has created a special place of rest for His believers, it’s a place unbelievers can’t enter. It’s a special place for His children.
It’s the rest we need for our souls. It’s a place of refreshing. It’s a place we find strength to continue on. It’s a place we find healing. We find exactly what our souls need in this resting place.
This is the resting place the Israelites were headed for. He offered them rest from wandering the desert but they never entered into His rest, the Promised Land of Canaan, because of their disobedience.
God commands us to rest, keep the Sabbath day (a day of rest) Holy, because He knows it’s what we need. I know this is the rest I need. We as Christians have a heavy call on our life to go and make disciples. If we are going to do the work that God has called us to do then we must rest in Him. I tend to want to work, work, work but don’t find enough resting time. I wish my Fitbit watch would also show my spiritual resting score.
Lately, our pastor has been preaching on Hope. We have much to hope for as Christians. This season reminds us of the hope of a Savior. Thankfully, we know we have a Savior and we can now hope for eternity. Eternity is real, heaven is real, we have this hope because of our Savior! We also have the hope of rest for our souls. So much of the world are like the Israelites, wandering around lost, looking for an answer to their weary souls but looking for a worldly answer. So many are not finding this resting place in the world and are debilitated by depression, fear, anxiety, etc. There is an answer, there is freedom, there is rest, He says, “I WILL give you rest.”
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28-29 NLT
So, during the busy holiday season don’t forget to rest. If you find yourself worn out, stressed out, angry or sad, go and find the resting place that God has created for you. Entering His rest is the place to be. Sitting at His feet, it’s where I want to be.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
Psalms 34:8 ESV
Thank you, Lord, that you have created the resting place my soul needs. Lord, help me to spend more time sitting at your feet this season.
Amen
