Resting plays a big part of our mental health. Scheduling time off can be very tricky but absolutely vital. If you don’t schedule rest, it will not happen. Resting is a vital part of God’s design for our well-being. Even God rested!

OPENING SCRIPTURE:

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day HE RESTED from all his work. (Genesis 2:2 NIV)

• Resting is a vital part of God’s design for our well-being. Even God rested!
• God sets an example for all of us to follow. Even Jesus Himself followed that example and rested

“But He was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, don’t You care if we drown?’” (Mark 4:38)

• He rested to teach us that we can also rest knowing that God is in control.

“Suddenly, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.” (Matthew 8:24)

• He rested in the middle of a storm to teach us about God’s supernatural peace.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)

• Resting is also a time when you withdraw yourself from the business of life to pray, to be spiritually recharged.

#1: REST NOT AN OPTIONAL BUT A COMMAND

“Remember the SABBATH day by keeping it HOLY. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a SABBATH to the Lord your God. (Exodus 20: 8-10 NIV)

• Sabbath: to rest, to cease from work, to refresh, to recover strength.
• It is for a day of rest and worship.
• “Holy” means consecrated to God. Given to God: For our rest and to worship Him.

On it you SHALL NOT DO ANY WORK, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. (Exodus 20:10 NIV)

• No one is left out

For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord BLESSED THE SABBATH day and MADE IT HOLY. (Exodus 20:11 NIV)

• Rest is a way to honor Him.
• Rest was not just a suggestion; it was a divine command for our benefit.

“THE SABBATH (REST) WAS MADE FOR MAN, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27 NIV)

• Rest is not legalism.

Practical Application
• Set aside time to rest.
• Create a rhythm of rest.

#2: REST GIVES YOU ACCESS TO HIS PROVISION & GUIDANCE

The Lord is my shepherd, I LACK NOTHING. He makes me LIE DOWN in green pastures, he LEADS Me beside quiet waters, he REFRESHES MY SOUL. He GUIDES ME along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3 NIV)

• Resting is a sign of trust. You trust in God as your provider.
• In a position of rest that your soul is refreshed.
• In a position of rest that you hear His voice as He leads you.

Practical Application
• Make rest a priority.
• Spend time with God regularly.
• Balance work and rest.

#3: REST STRENGTHENS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Our position of rest represents His finished work on the cross. Every time we take communion; we are responding to God’s invitation to enter His rest.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

• It is in our covenant relationship with Him that our burdens are lifted.
• It is in a position of rest that our relationship with God is strengthened.

CONCLUSION:

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?