rest time, not a waste time
“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..”
The bible tells us, after having finished the work of creation, God RESTED. The word ‘rested’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘šâḇaṯ‘, which means “to cease, to celebrate.” What a perfect way to begin–with celebration. God blessed the day of rest and made it holy, it became unlike any other day. Indeed, rest is such a blessing and so unique gift of God for us.
When we miss out on the idea of God’s rest, it is then we begin to live a restless life. Let’s not miss out this point–God rested, but that rest was made for us.
“He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” – Mark 2:27.
The seventh day wouldn’t be a day if God had not rested on it. God did something unique that day which He did not do on the other six days. God rested and blessed the seventh day and made it so special. Rest is unique. How many people truly have the rest?
God rested and placed blessing over the seventh day and made it holy for two reason.
Firstly, God’s rest is meant to be a blessing for us. It was meant to be a blessing for Adam. The Lord of the sabbath Himself said that the rest was created for man, but the Pharisees and the teachers of the law failed to understand. The first man, Adam, and later Israel, were to observe the rest in order to find and experience that same rest which God had in the beginning. It is God’s desire and design that we should experience the same rest as God Himself did. Isn’t this marvelous?
Secondly, God is Holy, and by the virtue of who God is, His rest is Holy too. Therefore, God’s rest is uncommon and is very unique. You won’t get it in the market of religions. God has a monopoly over His rest and there are no rivals. While the rest of God is free for every soul, but He has applied terms and condition on who can receive this rest–only those who finds Jesus will find this Holy rest. If you are restless in your heart and you are seeking for rest, here it is–in Christ Jesus.
Sabbath observance was only a shadow of the good things but Jesus Christ is the substance, the ultimate reality.
“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or SABBATHS, which are a SHADOW of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” – Col 2:16-17
Christ Jesus is the reality; He is our true rest. You can receive the rest of God, when you receive Jesus Christ in your life. And to those who believe, the best way to begin is to disengage with everything around you each day and take time to engage with Christ–in prayer, meditate (not simply read) His Word and walk with Him through the day; there is a rest even in walking with Jesus. We need to rest in Him to find the true rest, and in-turn you will receive new strength, wisdom, guidance, courage, freedom and spiritual revival. He who waits upon the Lord shall renew His strength.
“Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength… It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less”
– Charles Spurgeon
