Rest is Sweet Obedience
Why do you think we rest?
So why is it so hard for us to rest?
Family responsibilities
Work
Guilt
Permission
Let’s look at what God says about rest…
Genesis 2:2-3
And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
Exodus 20:8-11
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is with your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Today’s Big Idea:
Rest is not foreign concept that we should ignore. And you probably wonder how you can possibly get everything done for your family, for your job and everything else around you—there’s just not enough time. But God has commanded us to rest. He wants us to obey Him in our rest, and to also rest in Him. Rest is about Obedience.
It is so hard to fight the feeling that rest is selfish, wasting time, and that God has so much for us to do.
The world sees it about the—HUSTLE.
Moving from one thing to another, never slowing down. Busyness and burnout have become a badge of honor of sorts. But is that a good thing? Burnout brings discomfort, pain, and unexpected consequences for us and those around us. With so many things vying for our attention, if we are not careful, our spiritual life will start to take a back seat. If we don’t create a space for communion with God, hearing the whispers of the Holy Spirit will get harder.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not into your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Jesus invites us to rest; to bring our weary hearts and exchange our burdens and place on them on Him.
Matthew 11:28-29
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Jesus calls us to rest and find peace in Him.