Rest. Sometimes we neglect it, but, oh, how we need it. Have you ever heard of adrenal fatigue?! Yes, it’s a thing. It’s when your body has been so overworked that no matter how much sleep you get, you constantly feel tired. Resting is crucial, not only for our physical wellbeing, but also for the wellbeing of our mind and soul.

Scripture tells us that the 7th day of creation God rested. What does this mean? Does God get tired? No! He does not grow weary as we do, yet He rested. A more accurate translation is that God stopped what He was doing. He ceased to do. He had completed what He had desired, and He saw that it was good.

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In comparison to God who is infinite and able to do it all, we were created to be finite and incapable of doing it all. We sleep because we are not God. So God, in His wisdom, made something of the 7th day: He made it the day of resting. This day has great importance. We know this because it is also the third commandment, “Keep the Sabbath.” The Word tells us that God sanctified the 7th day and made it holy.

Now, here is what baffles me.

Have you seen God’s creation?! Have you noticed how the sun has not failed to rise every morning? How complex is our composition from elements, to cells, to atoms? How there’s an entire world in the microscopic level that can not be seen with the naked eye? How we live on a floating sphere and are held onto it by a force known as gravity? Have you ever pondered on the many mysteries that lie in the depths of the oceans?

What God created in those six days is beyond our full comprehension, yet none of these days were sanctified. Isn’t that something?! In other words, God is telling us, “Of all the work you do from day one to day six, on day seven I want you to pause.” It is this 7th day, on which you are not doing, accomplishing, meeting goals, checking off tasks, that is holy! Whaaaat? So, God, you mean to tell me that the day you assigned as HOLY is the day I’m NOT doing anything “productive”?!

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Psalm 127:1-2 says,

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

When we solely trust in ourselves to achieve the task, all we do is done in VAIN. Ultimately it is God who does, creates, gives and takes away. When we believe this truth, we can rest in Him as we trust that it is not by our efforts alone that we will achieve it, for apart from Him we can do nothing. What’s the cherry on top? We are granted with sleep! I LOVE SLEEP. It’s a gift, a blessing for those that choose to rest in Him and let go of all anxiety and worries.

So, this is why the 7th day was made holy. It would be the designated day (we can do it every day, but this one as set apart) to say “God you are the builder. You do the work.” This is the day we cease from creating to seek our Creator. God says “Be still and know that I am God.”

Stop. Take a moment. Acknowledge Me. Stop your worrying. REST in me.

The purpose, then, of our ceasing to do isn’t simply to do nothing, but to more intentionally and profoundly look to Him, the One who gives rest to our souls.

To rest is to refuel in His strength so that we can move forward with clarity and confidence. Will you choose to rest in Him today?

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“Yes, my soul finds rest in God; my hope comes from Him.” Psalm 62:5

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” – St. Augustine

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May your day be graciously adventurous,

Tati ❤