Rest For Your Soul and Body

Rest For Your Soul and Body

28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28, KJV

28Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls. Matthew 11:28, Amplified

Other References: [Gen 2:2-3; Ex 20:8-11; Ex 23:12; Heb 4:1-11, 1 Peter 5:7]

We have a most revealing statement concerning the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a 7th-day completion cycle which God designed solely as a day of rest. No work was to be done and in Israel, neither animal were to be burdened. The Oxen, Donkeys and Servants were to be rested. The sole purpose was to be refreshed. Note that God detests all forms of laziness, which is a discussion for another day. He worked in 6 days creating the heaven and earth (Genesis chapter 1) and designed the human body to be refreshed by periods of rest. That is why after tedious months of work we must take out time for vacations. It is not only cultural but more importantly of immense spiritual benefit. In the case of the Sabbath, it is a day to be spent in communion with him and rest for your bodies, soul and spirit (Exodus 20:8-11). The Sabbath became a sign or contract between God and Israel, a day to re-enact God as their sanctifier. God testifying of the importance of the 7th day in his creation work schedule said: “11For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:11).

There is a complementary doctrine of rest in the New Testament to enjoy perpetual rest from all forms of labour whether physical or spiritual. It has to do with casting all our cares and burdens on him because he cares for you. Jesus promised to give good rest to any soul that comes to him willingly no matter the weight of that burden on the soul. (Matthew 11:28; 1 Peter 5:7).

Even after coming to the LORD, there is a higher level of rest, God wants us to enjoy. It is resting on the promises of God. It means the word of God mixed with faith in a relaxed heart trusting in its infallibility in your life. When one rests, he is not labouring and when you are labouring you are not resting. However, since the word of God gives rest, labour more in it and you get more rest. That is what the writer of Hebrews is talking about. That is the rest that is remaining for the people of God (Hebrews 4:1-11), and unfortunately many Christians live their lives without enjoying this highest level of rest or spiritual fulfillment. So to enjoy this type of rest, let us labour more in the word and we enter more and more into his rest. How do we do this? We should labour more studying and meditating on the word of God, praying it, living it, obeying it, dreaming it, confessing and testifying of it. As we do this more, the word of God will quicken our hearts bringing us into his rest.

PRAYER OF FAITH

1. Oh Lord, refresh me, fill me with your fresh power, energize my heart with your fire in Jesus Name.
2. Oh Lord, move me higher. Help me to enjoy your highest level of rest for my soul. As I place absolute confidence on your word give me a soaring faith in Jesus Name.