Session 39

What to remember when you think you don’t have time for rest

From Genesis: A 7-Week Devotional

When was the last time you rested? When was the last time you celebrated a job well done and said "no" to worry? God wants us to live like this every single week, not just once or twice a year on vacation.

Sabbath is a time to imitate God in rest. He made a time every week for us to take a break and get filled back up. God knows we don't have an endless supply of energy and resources, so He made a way for us to recharge. We’re created in God's image, and that means we get to fellowship with Him in doing things like He does. Work is a part of that fellowship, and so is rest.

God didn’t rest because He needed to. He rested as an example, knowing we would need rest.

God modeled resting in Genesis 2:2-3 when He took the seventh day to rest from all the work He did the first six days. God is all-powerful, so He didn’t rest because He needed to. He rested as an example, knowing we would need rest.

God made the Sabbath holy, blessed, and special. Yet, there is a huge temptation to ignore this blessed day because we're worried we won't have enough margin to get all the things done for tomorrow. Jesus commands us not to "worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34). He also reminds us that God knows what we need, and when we seek Him first, He will give us those things (Matthew 6:32-33).

We can resist the temptation to ignore the Sabbath by trusting God to do what only He can do. We can rest well knowing we worked hard for six days, God created the Sabbath for our benefit, and He will take care of all of our needs.

Reflect:

• How can you plan this week to make sure you rest one day?
• What is a common argument you use to talk yourself out of resting? What do you need to remind yourself of when you make that excuse?
• What is one thing you need to start doing, or stop doing, to make room for a weekly Sabbath in your life?