Are You Getting Proper Rest?

The word rest is one of the best four-letter words in the English language. Sleep is so important that it has become one of the most researched areas of our day. I can’t help but share something that my dad used to say with you. (I am writing this on his birthday, February 10 – he would have been 100 years old today) He used to say, “I never take naps.” And, we would reply, “Yes, you do, daddy, we have seen you resting!” And, he would say, “no, no, I don’t! I only take Siestas!” :-)

Well, whether you are taking naps or siestas :-), getting proper rest is essential and often underestimated. Rest does not only apply to our physical body but also our heart, emotions, and spiritual life.

It is most interesting that God worked for six days creating the universe as we know it, but on the seventh day, he rested. To God, that day was so important that later it would be pronounced as one of his 10 Commandments. Not only was the observance of this day classified as one of the great commandments, but the breaking of it required death. Wow! But why? Pay close attention to the wording of the following Scripture.

Ex 31:12-14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘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. “ ‘Observe the Sabbath because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people.

God made the children of Israel keep the Sabbath day because he wanted them to know that he was the one who made them holy. God, alone, was the one who made them holy, and still today, only God can make you holy. Apostle Paul wrote, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 He also wrote, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 Only God can produce righteousness within us, and this is only possible when we rest in his provision and ability!

It is most interesting to consider that those who would not keep the Sabbath day were to be put to death. This is how it is today because death is what happens to those who live by their own righteousness. Yes, those who rely upon their works to be right with God live defeated lives and will die spiritually. But those who know the truth rest in the finished work of the cross and live in the glorious freedom found in Christ! When you are convinced of your right standing with God, a glorious peace and rest come upon your entire life! No longer striving to be right with God, you enter into the blessed freedom that Jesus spoke about when he said, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now, a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:34-36

Those who try to be right with God by works live in slavery to sin under the cruel master, the law. That’s why the Bible says, “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly, no one is justified before God by the law because “The righteous will live by faith.” Galatians 3:10-11

Those who repent from trying to be right with God by works and receive the gift of righteousness provided through the sacrifice of Jesus enter into the glorious freedom of the Sabbath – the seventh day – the eternal rest of God.

Without a doubt, the most blessed life of all is the life of living in the Sabbath rest of God! So, I want to pose this most crucial question to you…Are You Getting Proper Rest?

Always for your best,

Arthur