Spiritual Rest: A Blessing from God

Hebrews 4:9-11

9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Rest has been defined as "refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor."  Even the Bible describes God as having worked six days and then resting on the seventh day. This is why the church encourages taking a day off on Sunday to worship God and rest. But this type of rest is not just a pause from physical labor. It is also a time to restore spiritual strength. Another definition of rest is, "relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs." 

Sabbath Rest

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were learning how to keep a covenant relationship with the Lord. In Exodus 31:12-13, the Lord said to Moses, "You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy." The purpose of the rest here is not just physical, but spiritual, and also an acknowledgment of relationship with God and an act done out of obedience.

Psalm 91

The psalmist declared in Psalm 91:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

And then in verses 14-15:

"Because he [a person] loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

When we rest on the Sabbath, whichever day of the week it is, it should involve acknowledging God.

Sabbath Work

There are times when an employer does not acknowledge the name of God, and this would be the case when he or she requires employees to work seven days a week. Ethically, every person is usually given at least one day off, but it is not helpful when it is not on a "Sabbath" day when others are also taking off for corporate worship and rest. This sense of community and time for fellowship is very important for healing relationships, bonding with others in like-faith, and for doing good.

Disciples Picking Grain on the Sabbath

In the New Testament in Matthew 12, the disciples of Jesus were hungry on the Sabbath and they began to pick grain from a field so they could eat it. The Pharisees, looking to find fault with them and Jesus, questioned them for breaking the Old Testament law. When Jesus entered their synagogue, a man with a shriveled hand was there. The Pharisees asked Jesus, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" 

Jesus said to them:"If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift if out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep? Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

Then it is recorded that Jesus told the man to stretch out his hand, and in his obedience, the man's hand was restored the same as the other hand. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. The healed man had acted in obedience and acknowledgement of the Lord, while the Pharisees were conspiring to find fault.

Application

From these passages, I am reminded that rest is vital for healthy living. Both physical rest and spiritual rest are important.

Our relationship with God requires that we acknowledge that He is our Creator, and in Him we find true healing and restoration.

By trusting in God, our faith gives us purpose, hope, comfort, strength, and healing. Even in our trials and ultimate death, we are promised His presence and His peace; ultimately, we are perfected in Heaven in Him (Rev. 21:4).

The Lord God honors those who honor Him and obey Him.

If we are going to work on the Sabbath (Sunday for Christians) then we better be doing good works!