Rest – Week 2
More trust = More rest
Everyone is busy and we are always trying to find the perfect balance between home, work, school, hobbies, and more. The goal shouldn’t be balance. Balance is a myth. The goal is to lean into what’s most important. It’s not about finding balance, but finding Jesus.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33
When we lean into Jesus, he promises to give us everything we need. One of those things he can give us is rest and peace.
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
21 After this the people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need. And as the sun became hot, the flakes they had not picked up melted and disappeared. 22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much as usual—four quarts[a] for each person instead of two. Then all the leaders of the community came and asked Moses for an explanation.23 He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.”
24 So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor.25 Moses said, “Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the Lord. There will be no food on the ground today. 26 You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day.”
27 Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. 28 The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions? 29 They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.”
Exodus 16:21-29
God looks to teach the Hebrew people an important lesson through the Sabbath, that we need to learn as well. The Sabbath (a period of rest) teaches us to trust God.
God can do more in 6 days than you can do in 7 days.
More trust = More rest.
In Exodus 16:29 God says that the people need to realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to them. The Sabbath wasn’t meant to be a burden, but a blessing. The focus shouldn’t be on man-made rules, but relationship, and how God wants us to trust Him and experience His provision, protection, care, and faithfulness.
In the Hebrew world – the day started at dusk. That meant they started their day with sleep and rest. God is still working and moving even when we’re sleeping, so can you rest in Him, trusting He’s still at work and He can do more than you can on your own?
Next Steps:
- What’s one specific thing you are trying to control? Can you release control and trust God with it?
- Lean into what’s most important. What kind of time are you giving to your relationship with Jesus? Don’t try to find balance, find Him.
- Choose to take 24 hours of rest in the next week or two as an act of faith and trust.