THE VALUE OF REST:(1)
We live in an action-oriented
world! There always seems to be
something to do and no time for rest.
Yet God demonstrated that rest is appropriate and right. If God himself rested from His work, then it
should not amaze us that we also need rest.
Jesus demonstrated this principle when He and His disciples left in a
boat to get away from the crowds (see Mark
“On the seventh day,
having finished His task, God rested from all his work.” Genesis 2:2-3
the value of rest(2):
When the disciples had returned from
their mission, Jesus took them away to rest.
Doing God’s work is very important, but Jesus recognized that to do it
effectively, we need periodic rest and renewal.
Jesus and His disciples, however, did not always find it easy to get the
rest they needed!
..Jesus said, “Let’s get away from the crowds for a
while and rest.”
the value of rest (3):
Why
God wanted Israelites to rest on the Sabbath:
The
Israelites were not to work on the Sabbath – not even to cook food. Why? God knew that the busy routine of daily
living could distract people from worshipping Him. It is so easy to let work, family
responsibilities, and recreation crowds our schedules so tightly that we don’t
take time to worship. Carefully guard
your time with God.
The leaders
of the people came and asked Moses why this happened. He replied, “The Lord has appointed tomorrow
as a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord.
On this day we will rest from our normal daily tasks. So bake or boil as much as you want today,
and set aside what is left for tomorrow.” Exodus 16:23
the value of
rest 4
Why
God wanted Israelites to Rest on the Sabbath:
The Sabbath
was a day set aside for rest and worship.
God commanded a Sabbath because human beings need to spend unhurried
time in worship and rest each week. A
God who is concerned enough to provide a day each week for us to rest is indeed
wonderful. To observe a regular time of
rest and worship in our fast-paced world demonstrates how important God is to
us, and it gives us the extra benefit of refreshing our spirits. Don’t neglect God’s provision.
Remember to
observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work,
but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day, no one in your household may do
any kind of work. This includes you,
your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any
foreigners living among you. For in six
days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them;
then he rested on the seventh day. That
is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
Exodus 20: 8-11
the value of rest: (5)
Why God wanted Israelites to Rest on the Sabbath:
The
Sabbath had two purposes: It was a time to rest and a time to remember what God
had done. We need rest. Without time out from the bustle, life loses
its meaning. In our day, as in Moses’
day, taking time out is not easy. But
God reminds us that without the Sabbaths we will forget the purpose for all of
our activity and lose balance crucial to a faithful life. Make sure your
Sabbath provides a time of both refreshment and remembrance of God.
The LORD then gave these further
instructions to Moses: “Tell the people of
the value of rest: (6)
When Our Rest In Christ Begins)
God
rested on the seventh day, not because he was tired, but to indicate the
completion of creation. The world was
perfect, and God was well satisfied with it.
This rest is a foretaste of our eternal joy when creation will be
renewed and restored, every mark of sin will be removed, and the world will be
made perfect again. Our Sabbath-rest in
Christ begins when we trust him to complete his good and perfect work in us.
God’s
rest has several meanings in
Scripture: (1) the seventh day of creation and the weekly Sabbath commemorating
it; (2) the Promised Land of Canaan; (3) peace with God now because of our
relationship with Christ through faith; and (4) our future eternal life with
Christ.
Lord, be compassionate to those who have
died, welcome them into the company of the faithful
departed –
Hebrews 4:4
the value of rest: (6)
God’s Invitation To Enter Into Rest
God had given the Israelites the
opportunity to enter Canaan, but they disobeyed and failed to enter. Now God offers us the opportunity to enter
his ultimate place of rest – He invites us to come to Christ. To enter his rest, you must believe that God
has this relationship in mind for you; you must stop trying to create it; you
must trust in Christ for it; and you must determine to obey him.
Today is the best
time to find peace with God. Tomorrow
may be too late.
“Today
you must listen to his voice. Don’t
harden your hearts against him.”
Hebrews 4: 6-7