The Sabbath REST

In the old testament, Jews had to stop one day a week to rest. It was commanded in the Old Law, and it was mandatory. However, in the new testament, we have entered into the rest of God. Our redemption includes that rest.

However, the Bible tells us that we must “labor” to enter into that rest. I didn’t understand what that meant for the longest time. I have shared with you that, for many years as a Christian, I was mostly a worker. Meaning that the most important thing was not my relationship with God, but my service to God.

It is only in recent years, when I have discovered and fully walked into my new identity as a SON of the living God that my entire mindset has changed. I’ve already been made righteous! There is no need for my service to get more recognition or commendation from God. It’s all done by Jesus.

However, as we all know, we must continue to renew our mind constantly in order to impose that new identity both on our body and our souls, which are not yet redeemed. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” (Mat 26:40) That’s why the Bible tells us to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. When we are constantly reminding ourselves of our identity, authority, and righteousness, we can fully walk in that rest that Jesus gives us.

Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in Ne you may have peace (rest). In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”(Jn 16:33)

Rest is important to our spiritual walk with the Lord, and many Christians today don’t appreciate the value of rest in the Lord and ceasing from our works. Check out what Jesus said, “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.” (Mat 11:28)

Rest allows our mind, body, and soul to renew and start with even more strength and focus. And while the Old Testament Jews had to stop one day a week, in the New Testament,we have that rest permanently embedded in us through Christ. And we can enter into that rest anytime we want to.

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.” (Heb 4:9)

The Word of God is filled with God’s promises to provide rest when we seek Him. God is an endless source of peace and strength and He created us to need Him! “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isa 25:3)

My favorite is Ps 23. David really got it about the rest of God… take a minute to read it and meditate on it. So rich…

For us in Christ, the peace of the Shabbat is every day. But it doesn’t just come to us. We must enter it…

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phi 4:6)

You can have peace and joy and blessings every day of the week. But we must choose to enter into the presence of God every day of our lives. That’s what the verse means, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (Col.5:7)

Spend time entering. Practice entering. Get good at entering. And you can dwell in the Shabbat every day of your life. In other words, every day of your life can be like a weekend. Let it start today. Shabbat Shalom.