WATCHWORD:
By the seventh day God had finished his work. On the seventh day, he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. Genesis 2:2-3
The man who goes into God’s rest, rests from his own work the same as God rested from His work. Hebrews 4:10
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16
Meditation:
Alone with God
There is a message here for us, one that too many ignore or, to my mind, misinterpret. It is a message that is repeated time and time again through the scriptures, Jesus getting this idea across to His hard-headed flock of sheep. Rest!
In Luke 5:14 we see Jesus instructing the healed leper not to tell anyone, yet word got out and the crowds came. In Luke 6:12 we read that Jesus went alone to a hill (mountain) to pray. He was not teaching, healing, etc., He was simply talking with His Father. In Luke 9:18 we read One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. This was just before He told His disciples of His coming death. At the time of His transfiguration He took Peter, James and John with Him to be alone and pray. Repeatedly, we see Jesus being alone, or with a few disciples, to spend time with the Father; before His teaching on prayer, before His arrest, while being crucified, and just before He died.
For Christians, “Rest” should be understood as spending time with the Father. It is peaceful conversation and listening to the leading words from the Father, undeterred by our secular work, thought processes and worry that too often occupies our minds, shutting out the Holy Whispers. Sometimes we are driven to serve, and find ourselves exhausted and spent. It is good to be reminded that our Creator God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, rested and often withdrew from the hubbub of earthly life. This is a lesson to be learned and practiced.
The misinterpretation, in my mind, displacing too much stress on Genesis 2:3, And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy. We define that as the Sabbath, the day to worship God. But, every day is a day to worship Him. This is the day that God rested, and the day that Jesus stepped back from His ministry to recharge. This is a most important point. Don’t miss it. Jesus wants us recharged so that we can be Him to our world.
So, take your cues from God and Jesus — take a day off. Exercising, relaxing and getting enough rest will help you do better and enjoy life more. Taking good care of yourself may require a little extra time and effort, but it’s worth it. Besides, it might quiet that loved one who nags you about getting out of your chair! So be it.
Closing Prayer:
Thank You for the reminder, Father, of my need for time spent with You. I need Your grace and strength to renew my often-weary soul. In gratitude, I pray. Amen.
