ODJ: rest
April 3, 2011
On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work (v.2).
READ: Genesis 2:1-3
We live in an action-oriented world, and it seems that simplifying our lives has never been more complicated. Answer the following questions as honestly as you can to determine if you need to rest: Do I feel stressed when functioning in my normal day-to-day activities? Is it difficult to find joy in the life that God has given me? Do I get the kind of rest my body needs? Can I hear God?
It might seem as if there’s always work to do and no time for rest, but God never intended it to be that way for His people. God intended His people to follow His lead by living according to the rhythm of life He established. He modeled this rhythm when He worked for 6 days, creating the heavens and the earth (Genesis 2:1), and then rested on the seventh day (v.2). God rested, not because He was tired, but because He wanted to establish a holy pattern for His creation (v.3)—a work-and-rest rhythm. Later, this weekly day of rest would be called the Sabbath (Exodus 16:23; 20:8-11). It was designed to help people rediscover God as Creator, Redeemer, and Provider (Deuteronomy 5:12-15). Also, it was a special day for people to recuperate physically and emotionally from the week.
Even though we believe every day belongs to God, we would do well to set aside one day each week to rest. This rest will look different for each of us. But it could include times of corporate and personal worship, prayer, and reading and meditating on God’s Word. We can also celebrate this day by resting our bodies, unplugging from technology, spending time with family, and refusing to let work concerns interfer.
Our times of Sabbath rest refresh us so that we can serve God and others effectively. —Marvin Williams
Do you find it difficult to slow down and rest? Why or why not? If so, what changes do you and your family need to make?
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