May 12, 2025 | Be God's Family
Sabbath-Rest
Scripture: Hebrews 4:8-11(NIV)
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
Devotional
“Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap.” (Barbara Jordan)
Doesn’t that sound lovely! What I would give to take a nap sometimes! But rest can be considered a waste of time or not being productive. If we rest, we’re being lazy. But resting is part of self-care and crucial to our well-being. We cannot be any good to others if we’re exhausted.
While I think that God absolutely wants us to physically rest, the author of Hebrews is talking about something more, something different – Sabbath-rest. “Sabbath” comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat which means “rest”. It’s based on the practice of shmita - the year of rest for the land every seven years. It’s where we get our word “sabbatical”. But even more, the idea of Sabbath-rest is not just about inactivity. It’s about celebration, joy and blessings.
Let’s take this idea of rest a bit further. God promises us another type of rest as well. As we develop a closer walk with God, we can experience rest in his love and grace. The Israelites turned away from God and were not awarded the rest promised them. As we read in Psalm 95:10-11, “For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.’ So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” But WE can attain God’s Sabbath-rest, only through Jesus Christ.
We can rest from our labor just as God rested on the Sabbath from the work of creation. But it’s not just about physical rest. God offers us a meaningful, spiritual rest that can only be found in God. Spend time daily in prayer. Make time for worship. Study God’s word for greater understanding. This is the kind of spiritual rest that God offers.
God also offers us eternal rest when we will be restored to our original perfection. Then, “He will wipe every tear from (our) eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) That’s the ultimate Sabbath-rest. Heaven offers us divine rest – the joy and blessing of eternity in the presence of God.
Are you trying to find rest – true, spiritual peace? Trust in God’s provision and truly find your Sabbath-rest that is available to us now by faith and trust in Jesus. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Poem
Rest Within Your Arms
Psalm 4
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8
In childhood, how I fought the hour
Of bedtime, fear of missing out
Of fun and action going on
Rebellion, grumpy murmurs
Until soft covers welcomed me
Fresh linen, breezes wafting
Soon lulled me into dreamland’s peace
Deep rest, body recovering
In adolescence, late night plans
To bed after fun only
Collapsing weary, bone tired comalike
With difficulty rousing
For tasks set firm with next day’s sun
I’d struggle to awaken
No energy, a sleepy haze
Head on the desk a-sleeping
Adulthood—busy scheduling
A-to and fro, I’d scamper
Calendar packed, a squeezed tight day
No time to exhale intentional
While multi-tasking daily
No time for play, create
‘Cause even when I’d recreate
A competition stake
When finally my body
Is in its “last leg” state
Will regret fill my thinking
Restlessness bedtime’s fate?
Will days be filled with napping?
A drowsy, listless time
Of meaningless complaining
About my loss of time?
O, Lord, teach me the rhythm
Of work and play and rest
Of Sabbath’s holy presence
A gift to me, Your best
Keep me from child resisting
Or teen rebellion’s cause
Or adult’s false believing
I must control it all
Instead, make me to lie down
In pastures green and still
Beside your glorious river
To hear the sparrow’s trill
Allow me yield all glory
To whom it all belongs
And come to you when weary
And rest within your arms
