While in discussion with someone recently, I was reminded of a valuable lesson – “When work is an idol, rest will seem like sin.” It challenged me, I had preached on that very subject only 3 months ago, yet it has become so easy for me to forget that rest is not sin. So, for my own benefit, and for those reading this blog, I post below the four application points from my sermon on Genesis 2:1-3. Let these points act as a reminder that rest is NOT sin!
A day of rest is regular!
Is it not wonderful that God in His wisdom and shown us that to imitate Him is to have regular rest time? We have a 7-day week, by God’s design. We work hard, by God’s design. We also are to regularly rest, by God’s design. Even as I say this, I feel like I am a hypocrite. Rest makes me panic. If I am honest, rest makes me angry. I get all twitchy and want to get going with something. However, studying this week has shown me that is precisely why God has designed regular rest for us.
Too often we get into the danger of thinking we can do everything, that we can be on the go, all the time, and somehow still succeed. That type of thinking simply leads to living in our own strength, and in our own works, which we know God’s Word describes as folly. Regular rests remind us that we are finite human beings, who are broken and lost without God. We need regular rest so that we would be drawn back to God, making our six days of work for Him, rather than making ourselves look good.
To make it clear, it is Biblical, it is encouraged, it is in fact commanded, that we take a day of rest each week. I need to learn the reality of this, and I think many of us need to embrace this truth. Spurgeon said “Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength… It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less.”
Prepare for a day of rest!
Consider the 6 days of creation – It builds and builds, and then suddenly stops. It stops because God has completed everything, He has prepared for His day of rest, for there is nothing else to do – we are to do the same. We are to prepare for our day of rest.
Growing up, my father never allowed by brother and me to do homework on a Sunday. Homework was completed after each day, and if need be, on Saturday. If we had homework left over, it would not be allowed to be done on Sunday and we would have to wake up to do it on Monday. Telling two young boys that they must wake up early was an incentive for us to do it during the week. Yet in this simple example, we were taught a lesson, we are to be prepared, and efficient during the week, so that when Sunday came around, we were prepared for a day of rest.
In practical terms, this means that if you know you are going to run out of milk on Sunday, buy more on Saturday. If you know you are going to need fuel in the car, get it on Saturday. If you know work is going to pile up, stay late an hour each day to complete it during the week. Don’t do these things because you must, rather do them in preparation of the privilege of enjoying restoration from God, and adoration to God.
Do what focuses your attention on God!
Each of us is different. I know someone that loves to go on long walks, and as they walk, they look out at creation and are overwhelmed by the presence of God. On their day of rest, they always go for a walk, for it brings their attention back to God. I know someone else that blocks out their Sunday afternoon for family time. It is during this time they are reminded of the blessing that God has given them, and they are drawn to thankfulness in the wonder that is a God who lovingly cares for them.
For me personally, I mentioned several times in sermons that I like to cut grass, well I am a little over the top with cutting grass. I also like to be outdoors, and to spend time in the garden. When I do so, I feel close to God, I am drawn to prayer, and I love to listen to worship music as I spend time with God in the garden. I find peace and rest as I draw near the one who in nature is rest.
Folks, because you get to enjoy the privilege of a day of rest, use your time to focus on God and do what brings your attention back to Him. Come to church and sing His praise. Read your Bibles and humble yourself in devotion. Walk in creation and see His splendour. Enjoy your family and praise God for the blessing. Be restored in this gift of rest and then adore the Lord who gave His life so that you can enjoy it.
Don’t do what distracts you from God!
It’s that simple! If it takes your attention away from God, don’t do it. A day of rest is to enjoy God, therefore, to be distracted from God is to no longer be at rest. It will be different for all of us, it might be shopping, or house chores, or driving, or TV, or a meal out or whatever you can think of. If it distracts you from God, don’t do it. Not because of legalism, but because you will miss out on the gift of God. You will miss out on a regular moment to connect with the Creator, to be restored and to gaze at the beauty of Christ, your Lord and Saviour.
Chuck Swindoll said “In place of our exhaustion and spiritual fatigue, God will give us rest. All He asks is that we come to Him…that we spend a while thinking about Him, meditating on Him, talking to Him, listening in silence, occupying ourselves with Him – totally and thoroughly lost in the hiding place of His presence.”
Friends, stop running, rest in God, rest knowing that God wants you to rest and rest in the wonder and splendour of Jesus Christ. I am confident in saying that it will do you good! Why can I say that? For the Word of God tells us that it is good to rest.
You can listen to the original sermon here