The Bible offers profound insights into rest, touching on physical, eternal, and spiritual aspects. Rest is not just a physical necessity; it is a deeply spiritual principle woven into the fabric of creation, redemption, and eternal hope. Let’s explore how Scripture invites us to embrace God’s rest fully.

The Foundation of Rest: A Divine Pattern

In Genesis 2:1–3, we see that after completing creation, God rested. Was God tired? Certainly not. This act was an intentional precedent set for humanity—a rhythm of work followed by rest. Fascinatingly, while God worked first and then rested, humanity’s first day after creation was a day of rest, highlighting that we are called to work from a place of rest, not for it.

The Ten Commandments further affirm this. In Exodus 20:8–10, God commands us to keep the Sabbath holy, underscoring the need to regularly step back from our labours. Many of us struggle with this—either overworking or leaning too heavily into leisure. The call is clear: we must prioritise regular physical rest to maintain balance and honour God.

The Hope of Eternal Rest

Life on earth is filled with toil and trials, but the promise of eternal rest is a source of great hope for believers. Revelation 14:13 proclaims, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord… they will rest from their labours.” Similarly, Hebrews 4:9–10 assures us of a Sabbath rest for God’s people, where we will cease from our earthly struggles.

Eternal rest is not about lounging on clouds but entering God’s presence, free from all earthly burdens. It’s a rest that fulfills and restores—a hope we cling to amidst life’s trials.

The Greatest Rest: Freedom from Sin

Of all forms of rest, the rest from the burden of sin is the most transformative. Jesus extends this invitation in Matthew 11:28–29:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… you will find rest for your souls.”
This rest is a release from the guilt, shame, and weight of sin. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we can lay down our burdens and experience true peace.

The Message paraphrases this beautifully: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life… Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”

Speaking to the Soul: Finding Rest amid Trials

Like the psalmist in Psalm 62:1, we often need to remind ourselves:
“My soul finds rest in God alone.”
When life feels chaotic, we must call ourselves to order, aligning our thoughts and emotions with the truth of God’s word. This practice, akin to giving ourselves a “good talking to,” can shift our perspective and anchor us in God’s peace.

In Psalm 116:7, the psalmist declares:
“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”
Remembering God’s past faithfulness is a powerful way to sustain our sense of rest. Life’s challenges may persist, but reflecting on His goodness provides strength and peace amid trials.

Maintaining Rest: Staying Close to the Source

Psalm 91:1 reminds us:
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Staying close to God is essential for maintaining rest. Life’s difficulties may tempt us to distance ourselves from Him, but true rest comes from running toward Him, not away.

Regularly spending time in His presence, through prayer, worship, and meditating on His word, keeps us aligned with His peace. His presence becomes our refuge, and His promises our anchor.

A Call to Respond

Today, whether you feel overwhelmed, weary, or distant from God’s rest, His invitation stands:

• Rest physically by embracing rhythms of work and Sabbath.

• Rest spiritually by surrendering burdens of sin at the cross.

• Rest eternally by anchoring your hope in His promise of everlasting peace.

Take a moment to reflect on His goodness. No matter the darkness or difficulty you face, He is the unchanging source of rest. Let your soul find its quiet calm in Him today.

As the psalmist says, “Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” Amen

Practical Steps to Enter and Maintain Rest

1. Intentionally Set Aside Time for Rest

• Embrace a Sabbath rhythm. Block out time in your week to rest, worship, and reflect. This isn’t about strict legalism but a heartfelt commitment to align with God’s design.

2. Speak Truth Over Your Soul

   • Like the psalmist, remind yourself of God’s promises. When your mind starts to wander or anxiety creeps in, take control of your thoughts. Declare aloud:
     “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone.”

   Count Your Blessings Daily

• Life’s path, even the hard roads, is strewn with blessings. Reflect on Psalm 65:11:
  “You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.”

• Consciously look for these “leftover blessings” each day, even in challenging times. Before you go to bed, thank God for His goodness. This practice cultivates gratitude and reinforces your sense of peace.

3. Stay Close to the Source of Rest

• Rest isn’t something we achieve on our own. It flows from intimacy with God.

• Spend time daily in His presence through prayer, worship, and scripture.

• Meditate on promises like Psalm 91:1, and make dwelling in His presence your priority.

4. Abandon Self-Sufficiency

• Often, we try to “get a grip” or fix things on our own. Instead, surrender your struggles to Him. Rest comes not from striving but from trusting fully in God’s sovereignty and love.

5. Reflect on Past Faithfulness

• In moments of doubt, recall how God has been faithful in your life. Remembering His goodness builds trust and reinforces your confidence in His provision for today and tomorrow.

A Word for Today

You may be in a place where rest feels distant, where the storms of life rage relentlessly. Take heart—God’s invitation to rest is for you. Whether you’re weary from work, burdened by sin, or struggling with life’s difficulties, He offers peace, calm, and restoration.

Right now, pause. Let the words of Psalm 91:1 sink in:
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

If you’re able, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and release your worries into His hands. Whisper to your soul:
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone.”

Whether at home, in church, or quietly in your heart, let this truth take root: God’s rest is for you, here and now.

Closing Prayer

Lord, we thank You for being our refuge and the source of all rest. Teach us to come to You with our burdens, to trust You fully, and to dwell in Your presence. Help us to remember Your goodness, even in life’s darkest moments. May we live in the unforced rhythms of Your grace and find rest for our souls. In Jesus’ name, Amen

This blog is based on a sermon delivered by Pastor Michael Williams on December 1, 2024, at the City Church Swansea