Are you tired this morning, even after a night of sleep? How often do people say, “I’m just tired.” In this day and age of go-go-go sometimes we forget that our bodies and minds need a break. We need to rest.

The Bible tells us that God rested. “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” (Genesis 2:2).

To be able to rest is the secret to peaceful living. To be peaceful and rested we have to walk out and claim the promises of God. “ Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.” (I Kings 8:56). God blessed a whole nation with rest.

He also promised rest to the city of Jerusalem, but they failed to walk on God’s Word. They didn’t find the peace and rest that was available. “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” (Jeremiah 6:16).

In one of my favorite Psalms God tells us to rest in the Lord. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” (Psalm 37:4-7).

If you take the time to read this entire Psalm you’ll see that over and over it says to trust in the Lord. It tells of the promise to those who wait on the Lord. We aren’t to panic or get frazzled when we’re faced with disturbing situations. We learn to rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.

Look at the rewards promised in these verses: “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” (Psalm37:9). “ For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.” (verse 28). What do we have to do to receive all these promises that bring rest to our souls? Simply trust God! “And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” (verse 40). What a great Psalm! As we trust God we receive the promised rest.

Sometimes when we are tired we sit down to rest. When God finished His work of making the earth He rested “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” (Genesis 2:2). He sat down. When Jesus Christ finished his work on earth for us, he ascended into heaven and sat down. “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;” (Hebrews 10:12). We can rest because of what Christ accomplished for us.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7). When we learn to trust God’s Word we can have that rest that he gives to His people.

What a joy and privilege it is in this day of hustle and bustle, to be able to relax and rest because we believe the accuracy of God’s Word and we trust in Him. Accept God’s promises and find rest in Him. –bb