In this week’s blog post I would like to talk about what this scripture means by the word “rest.”
This scripture does not mean resting all day at your leisure while work needs to be done. Instead, “rest” in this scripture tells of the peace and reassurance found in our personal relationship to God. A keeping of the sabbath everyday in all that you do having the mind of Christ, i.e., “the perpetual sabbath “rest” to be enjoyed uninterruptedly by believers in their fellowship with the Father and the Son, in contrast to the weekly Sabbath under the Law” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary).
There are so many benefits in that personal relationship with God like clarity, peace, and joy to name a few. I, for one, have conversations with God early in the day or night and tell him of the concerns or burdens on my mind and in my life. I used to do this with a psychiatrist who could not help me and who had no answers, but there is nothing like conversing with God and hearing the answer or the Wisdom of God in your thoughts as you listen for His leadership and guidance through His word (scripture), a pastor, a true believer, etc., even if it sounds peculiar to your natural mind. We are a peculiar (purchased, possession, saving) people and our relationship with God is special to each and every one of us (“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” 1 Peter 2:9 KJV).
It is a privilege to enter into a personal relationship with God, thus to enter into His “rest.”
God Bless You All!
Brenda A. McGee has attended New York Theological Seminary in New York, NY, and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA as a Master of Divinity student.