In today’s busy world, rest is often neglected. We fill our schedules with work, activities, and tasks, leaving little time for true rest. However, God calls us to regularly set aside time for rest, knowing that it is vital for our well-being. Through scripture, we can understand what God says about rest and be encouraged to prioritize it in our lives.
Why Do We Need Rest?
God created mankind with a fundamental need for rest. After six days of creative work, God rested on the seventh day, blessing it and making it holy (Genesis 2:2-3). This establishes a pattern of work and rest that God intended for us. We reflect God’s very nature in needing a time of rest after periods of work and creativity. Rest was built into our design from the very beginning.
Another reason we need rest is because our bodies and minds have limits. We are not capable of working continuously without breaks. In Jeremiah 45:3, God tells the prophet Baruch, “You are seeking great things for yourself. Do not seek them.” God knew Baruch needed to rest instead of endlessly toiling. Jesus himself frequently withdrew to desolate places for rest (Luke 5:16), recognizing his own human need for it. As creatures, we will burn out if we disregard our limits. Regular rest protects us from reaching the point of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. God cares about us operating within wise boundaries.
Rest also helps us stay dependent on God rather than our own strength. God reminded the Israelites of this after delivering them from slavery in Egypt. For six days they were to labor and do all their work, but the seventh day they must observe a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord (Exodus 35:2). This command came right after instructing the Israelites to construct the tabernacle for worship. God wanted the people to always remember that it is He who sanctifies them, not their own works (Exodus 31:13). Maintaining a Sabbath rest keeps our focus on the Lord rather than believing we sustain ourselves. We acknowledge our frailty and reliance on God’s abundant grace.
How God Intended for Us to Rest
The primary way God calls His people to rest is through honoring the Sabbath day. The Sabbath goes back to creation when God rested on the seventh day, later instructing His people Israel to do the same in imitation of Him. The intent was for them to rest just as God had rested after the completion of creation (Exodus 20:8-11). The Sabbath day was to be kept holy and devoted to the Lord. All regular work was to cease on this day each week.
God also instituted Sabbath years (Exodus 23:10-11) and the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) as extended times of rest and trust in Him. Every seventh year, the Israelites allowed their land to rest rather than sowing and reaping their crops. After seven cycles of Sabbath years, the fiftieth year was the Year of Jubilee. This included letting the land rest as in a Sabbath year. But it also brought restoration through cancelling debts, freeing slaves and returning property. These laws prevented resources and power from becoming concentrated in the hands of a few. The Sabbath year and Jubilee reminded the Israelites that the land and people all belonged to God.
Throughout scripture we see Sabbath rest treated as a special gift from God. Isaiah 58:13-14 describes it as delight and joy when God’s people honor it instead of going their own way. It leads to being spiritually renewed and refreshed. In the gospels, Jesus corrected the legalistic way some Israelites approached Sabbath, reminding them it was intended for doing good and bringing freedom (Mark 2:27). While the early Christians began meeting on the first day of the week in honor of Christ’s resurrection, the Sabbath principle of one day in seven set apart for the Lord continued.
How We Can Practice Sabbath Rest
Honoring the Sabbath requires us to proactively plan and prepare. In Exodus 16, God trained the Israelites to observe the Sabbath by sending manna that would spoil if saved for the Sabbath day. They had to gather enough bread on the sixth day to provide for that day and the Sabbath. Making resting a priority means organizing our week around it instead of fitting it in when convenient. We may need to declutter our schedule, say no to some demands, and finish pressing tasks beforehand. It also means preparing meals ahead of time, tidying our homes, and preventing distractions.
On the Sabbath, we focus completely on delighting in the Lord instead of our normal work. Corporate worship is a central part of Sabbath rest. Gathering with other believers for prayer, scripture, Communion, singing and fellowship is God’s idea for weekly renewal. The other hours can be spent in meditating on God’s goodness, enjoying creation, sharing meals, reading the Bible, and doing charitable deeds. Actively engaging in spiritual pleasures honors God far more than just sitting around idle. The activities we choose should refresh our souls in the wonder of Christ and all He has done for us.
Truly ceasing from work also means limiting time on devices, social media, shopping, household chores and other tasks that feel productive. These may be good things, but they distract from the special peace of an unhurried day focused completely on God. We rest from trying to accomplish things in our own strength. Of course emergencies or acts of mercy are allowed, since Sabbath rest is intended for our good and not to become legalistic drudgery. But we must be willing to play instead of work if we are to recharge spiritually.
The Blessings of Honoring God’s Sabbath
Scripture promises many blessings to those who keep the Sabbath day holy for the Lord. As Isaiah 58 describes, we are renewed and satisfied, our joy in the Lord increasing. Resting also demonstrates that we trust God will provide for all our needs without our constant striving. In a world of instability, Sabbath offers an anchor to God’s faithfulness.
Regular rest also protects our relationships, since we have time to nurture them free from other demands. Our connection with God deepens as we delight in Him, reflect on His Word, and worship together. Our bonds with family and friends grow stronger when we can be fully present. Sabbath provides needed space in our lives to invest in what matters most.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites all who are weary to come to Him for rest. Sabbath is a weekly opportunity to accept Christ’s offer of refreshment. It reminds us of the eternal rest we look forward to in God’s presence. The book of Hebrews explains we still have opportunity to enter God’s rest through trusting and obeying Him, even with the promised land of heaven still to come (Hebrews 4:6-11). As we practice Sabbath, we get a glimpse of the glorious rest awaiting all God’s people.
Tips for Practicing Sabbath Rest
- Block off Sabbath time on your calendar so nothing else is scheduled.
- Plan Sabbath activities in advance so you can delight in the day.
- Prepare meals ahead of time so you don’t have to work.
- Power down devices and disconnect from social media to reduce distractions.
- Enjoy nature, music, good books, or games to relax and recharge.
- Meditate on scripture, pray, worship and fellowship with other believers.
- Focus thoughts on the goodness of God, grace of Jesus, and hope of heaven.
Conclusion
God beautifully designed us to flourish through balancing work and rest. In our pride and misplaced priorities, we often neglect the gift of Sabbath. But scripture repeatedly calls us back to honoring God’s Sabbath so we can be refreshed and renewed. When we heed God’s wisdom and rest in Him regularly, our souls delight and we experience all the blessings God intends. The Lord who modeled rest for us before it was even needed invites us to find the rest we desperately need now. As we abide in the rest of Jesus, He fills us with life and joy that overflows to bless others.