We like to rest. We love breaks when we study and even when we work. We wait for weekends and holidays so we can have some rest.
But as a Christian, we can choose to rest any time, any day of the week. Yes, this is true. This depends precisely on what we choose to think and where we consider ourselves to be.
Exodus 33:14 has a very powerful key to rest. The verse is given below as per a few different verses of the Bible. You can read that this is an assurance from God to Moses.
And He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (NKJV)
And the Lord said, My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. (AMPC)
The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you”(NLT)
What God offers to Moses is available to each one of us. In Acts 10:34, Apostle Peter says that “God is no respecter of persons.”. Thus what God gives to Moses is also available for each one of us.
The 2nd verse of Psalms 23, one of the most popular chapters in the Bible states about rest when it mentions.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside the still waters.(Psalm 23:2 NKJV)
The Lord makes us lie down in green pastures to rest.
Even the Lord leading beside still waters points to a restful and relaxing life—a lifestyle that is liked by sheep.
Even the first verse in this Psalm 23 reminds us about not having any anxiety in terms of wants, because the Lord is our shepherd. Indeed, we can pray these two verses from Psalm 23 as a daily prayer for rest and being free from anxiety.
The Lord is my shepherd.
I shall not want.(Psalm 23:2 NKJV)
Here are other verses that speak about rest.
In this verse, we read Jesus Christ calling all who work hard and are burdened by work so that we could receive rest from Jesus. Reading this is not about resting from work but about receiving rest from God, a truth we can seek and receive as we call upon Jesus and have a relationship with him and abide with him, which is essentially being in God’s presence.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.(Mathew 11:28 NKJV)
Lord even cautions people who do not take rest, mentioning that all this is vain and would serve no purpose,, whereas it is good to lie down and sleep. Does it not possibly imply the importance of resting, so that even implies probably contributing to better productivity?
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves. (Mathew 11:28 NKJV)
In Isaiah 26:3, we read
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.(Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)
This implies that the state of the mind, wherein we trust in God, gives us peace, which is a manifestation of Rest.
When our mind is not anxious, we are having a kind of rest and peace.
Rest is more a state of the heart rather than a posture or state of the body.
You may read Philippians 4:6-7 at least twice to understand that God answers our prayers by giving us His presence, which comes with rest and freedom from anxiety.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)
Rest is a requirement; rest rejuvenates. It changes our routine; we get to see things from a different perspective. When we go through a busy daily routine, we neither consider nor notice many people or many beautiful aspects of the nature and surroundings around us. The rat race reduces what we see. The rat race reduces our perception—what we perceive!
When you look at the speed of movement of people or cars from ground level, it looks fast. But the higher the distance from which we look, the speed of people or cars look slower. Depending on how far away we choose to be away from the level of movement—the ground level in this case. Thus, trying to seek and get God’s perspective of our daily lives, we start seeing things differently; we get to see matters from a place of rest.
For taking rest, trust is required. Trusting people whom you entrusted with responsibilities would rise up to their expectations. Trusting family members to do the needful. While some may fail, giving feedback and taking corrective steps is required. Remember how you have improved by receiving feedback.
For taking rest, trusting the Lord, our Savior, is necessary. Our Creator, who has written our name on the palm of his hand, loves us. Our Rock and Strong Tower is always with us as an unshakable, well-protected fortress.
He’s always with us. He never sleeps and slumbers. The Lord is watchful. So we do not have to be anxious.
We may feel weak and lacking wisdom. But as His presence is with us, we follow the path that delights the Lord; He will keep us secure, guide us, and protect us. There is no reason for any kind of fear.
Our Lord is the Prince of Peace. Hence, our Lord has given us what we require to become victorious; He leads us in the paths of righteousness.
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’(Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)
We can see the Lord’s presence is the reason why we can be without fear and not be anxious and dismayed. Because the Lord’s presence is with us, we will be strong, even in our weakness, and since the Lord upholds our right hand.
Feeling lack, fearful and weak is natural as we are inadequate in ourselves. But the greater truth is that we need to be aware that the Lord is with us. His presence is with us. Thus, with peace and no anxiety, we can face tomorrow and take our next steps.
Seek the presence of the Lord; because of Him, without striving we can accomplish, and through rest we can progress towards the Lord’s plan and purpose from our lives.
In His presence, you have transformation and provision as well. Water was transformed into the best wine because of the Lord’s presence at the wedding at Cana. The five loaves and two fishes were multiplied in the Lord’s presence. All these came without striving – from a place of rest in the Lord’s presence.
Be blessed. Bless those around you.
