Sleep eludes me. Ever since I was about twenty-three years old, it seems like I haven’t been able to get a good night’s sleep. It started when I began having kids and had continued to this day. As the saying goes… no rest for the weary.
When I was pregnant, I didn’t sleep well because I couldn’t get comfortable.
After the kids were born, I didn’t sleep well because of the baby’s crazy sleep schedule.
As the kids got older, I often found myself awake with worry and stress.
Now that I’m approaching fifty, I still don’t sleep well because of back pain and constant hormonal hot flashes. What I would do for a really great night’s rest!
God refers to rest many times throughout Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, it was a subject about which He had a lot to say.
We live in a world where man is constantly on the go. Taking the time to truly rest is something of a rarity in our culture today, especially in the United States. When we finally do have an opportunity to slow down, we often feel guilty for taking the time to do so.
God knew that rest would be a stumbling block for us. This is why He instituted a command to rest as part of His top ten things to obey.
“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. 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. 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 20:8-11)
Even the animals were commanded to rest. Why? Because it is essential for overall health.
Lack of rest causes exhaustion. Exhaustion causes irritability, depression, and even sickness. We struggle to focus and become ineffective in all we do. Fatigue eventually affects us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I’m speaking from experience here.
We need obey God’s command, slow down, and allow our body adequate time to rejuvenate.
Adequate rest leads to restoration.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
“Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.” (Hebrews 4:18)
