Receiving Rest
There are some days we absolutely know we need rest. When we know we are in desperate need of rest, we seek out opportunities, are always looking for moments, and even cry out to God in prayer for rest. There are other times, when we don’t realize rest is what we need, and God, in His goodness, gives it to us one way or another.
We see a unique example of the latter hidden away in a passage in Exodus 33.
*all scripture references are NIV unless otherwise noted
Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”
Exodus 33:12-17
Did you see it? The tiny phrase in verse 14 when God answered Moses? He said, “My Presence will go with you AND I will give you rest.” God not only granted Moses’ request, but also promised to give him rest. No matter what the reason was for God giving Moses rest, what is truly important is that God felt it necessary to tell Moses that He was not only going to go with him, but also give him rest.
Different Kinds of Rest
Rest: To be placed or supported so as to stay in a specific position.
Many of you are familiar with the definition of rest to mean to cease working or stop movement in order to relax. But are you familiar with this definition? To be placed or supported so as to stay in a specific position. In our walk with Christ, we are not left to navigate life's challenges alone. We are supported by His teachings, His Spirit, and the community of believers around us. This support keeps us anchored and helps us stay aligned with His will.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:10 & 13
Rest: An interval of silence.
Here is another familiar definition of rest: it is a musical term that means an interval of silence for a specified duration. Do you remember a time when you felt you had “so many tasks to accomplish” and then all the sudden something happened that prevented you from accomplishing any of them? Maybe you got sick and had to stay in bed and rest for several days. God always has a way of giving us what we need even when we don’t realize we need it. Sometimes slowing down and being still shines a light on what God is doing in the moment, something that we might have missed if we kept moving forward in our busyness.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Exodus 14:14
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."
Psalm 37:7
Rest: To remain confident.
Another meaning of rest is to remain confident. There are several aspects of God that we can remain confident in; His goodness, peace, sovereignty, mercy, grace, provision. We can rest assured of who He is and His promises to us as His children.
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20
Reflection and Prayer
Spend some time in reflection and prayer. Looking at these different definitions can allow us to take comfort in all the ways God can give us rest. Are you caught up in a season of busyness and need to ask for the Presence of the Lord to go with you and give you rest? Do you need to ask God to help you to cease working, to physically be still, so that you can rest, relax and renew? Maybe you need to ask God to support you along your journey and to help you finish your race well. Perhaps you can ask God to allow you to have moments of silence where you can tune in to hear His voice speaking to you.
Remember that God’s Presence, the Holy Spirit, is always going with you and will give you rest when He feels you need it, regardless of whether you think it is needed or not. Trust that His ways are higher than yours and that all things work together for good for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:28).
He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name. Even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near. You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows. So why would I fear the future? Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!
Psalm 23:2-6 The Passion Translation
