Rest for the Soul That Feels Crowded
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” - Psalm 84:10
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Rest is something we certainly all desire – crave, even – but it is difficult to find in today’s fast-paced life. It so often feels like the demands just keep coming. Our schedules are all full, our to-do lists seem to grow longer – between work, our families, the kids, the chores, and …well, you name it – not to mention the trials that come our way. We even stay busy on weekend getaways and vacations. How often do you need a vacation from your vacation? Yeah…me too.
What if the rest we’re chasing is right there in front of us? What if there is a better way? We are looking for real rest – rest that refreshes our souls and, in turn, refreshes everything else. We already know that kind of rest is found in only one place – when we truly find rest in the Lord.
Jesus extended the invitation to us all in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” In the very next verse, Jesus promises, “…you will find rest for your souls.” The invitation was not meant just for the people of Jesus’ day – it was for us. Today. Right here, right now. Jesus said “all.” But…how do we get there? How do we find that rest that we know is waiting for us?
Let’s remember that after six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3) – and with that, confirmed rest as a fundamental part of our lives. Clearly, our Creator does not grow weary; He was modeling for us an essential that would be part of scripture – a part of our lives – forever. Sabbath rest. The Old Testament set aside a special day for worship and for rest from physical labor. But Sabbath rest was merely a foreshadowing of the true Sabbath that was to come – Jesus.
Jesus invites us to something much greater than a day off from our work. He invites us to Himself. Jesus fulfilled the command for a Sabbath rest – as He fulfilled the entire Old Covenant Law. (Matthew 5:17-18) The author of Hebrews told us, “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” (4:9-10) Jesus is our Sabbath – He is our rest. Finding rest for our souls is as simple as stepping into the peace, joy, freedom, assurance, and grace that Jesus provides. As they say, simple but not easy.
Life can indeed feel like a never-ending treadmill, can’t it? So often – too often – we carry what seem like very heavy burdens. Stress about our work, our finances, our families. We feel constant pressure to function to meet expectations. And yet, Jesus’ invitation speaks directly to our hearts - to our souls crowded by weariness. He speaks with words that are both powerful and tender – “Come to me…and I will give you rest.”
Resting in God does not mean that we are to ignore life’s responsibilities, or that we can pretend our challenges no longer exist. It means that we lean on our Lord to carry the weight that we were never meant to carry alone. While in this life we turn to temporary rest – like vacations, weekend getaways, or even the gym – Jesus offers us so much more. He offers a spiritual rest – one that quiets our souls. It replaces our anxiety with His peace.
In Psalm 84, the writer compares being in the house of God – even as a doorkeeper for one day – to a thousand days in the evil of this world. Finding rest there for that day. In Psalm 23, David tells us, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” Both are imagery of a shepherd bringing calm and peace to his flock.
In John 10:11, Jesus tells us He is the “good shepherd” – and we will find that calm, peace, comfort, and rest in His hands.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father, thank you for bringing rest to my soul. Thank you for being there for me every time I need you. Every time I know I can find my rest in you and in your word. I know I find my sabbath in Jesus – He is the peace I seek and need, and it is in His name I pray.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
Prioritize Quiet Time alone with God. You don’t need to say a word – just sit quietly and turn your heart to Him.
Spend time in God’s Word each day. Write down some of your favorite, restful verses – like Jesus’ invitation and Psalm 23 - on a few index cards and keep them with you. Then take a look when you need a reminder.
Learn from Biblical examples like David, Elijah, and Paul. Through times of struggle and seeming exhaustion, they found time to come to God for rest and refreshment.
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/DmytroVaravin
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.
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