Rest, What's That?

Scripture:
Isaiah 40:28-31
Hebrews 13:1-9

Everyone feels tired, frustrated, and at the end of their rope from time to time.  Lately it seems that it is constantly morning and I have to wake up.  Evening comes and I groan because I know morning is just around the corner.  As Nancy and I have discussed lately it seems there is no time to rest.  We have been crammed with so much to do that we are both constantly exhausted.  Yet through it all we are to keep going.  Somehow we are to go one step farther and complete one more task.

I often wonder how people like Susanna Wesley and other people like her managed.  How do you keep going without getting worn out?  The answers are easy to find and should be easy to follow.  So why can’t we follow them?  Why do we have a hard time finding and accepting them?  Our society tells us we must do more.  If you are idle you are lazy.  You cannot say no to anyone anytime.

What does the Bible tell us?  Isaiah 40:29-40 (New American Standard Bible)
²⁹He gives strength to the ^(D)weary,
         And to him who lacks might He ^(E)increases power. 
³⁰Though ^(F)youths grow weary and tired,
         And vigorous ^(G)young men stumble badly, 
³¹Yet those who wait for the LORD
         Will ^(H)gain new strength;
         They will ^(I)mount up with wings like eagles,
         They will run and not get tired,
         They will walk and not become weary.

We are told that God will give us strength and energy to complete His tasks.  Are you doing what God wants or what you want?  When we strive to our own ends we are trying to move giant rocks alone by hand.  We struggle and struggle to no end.  When we are working to God’s end we work tirelessly moving pebble by pebble with many hands.

We are also to keep the Sabbath.  In this we renew our spirits and receive physical rest.  Deuteronomy 5:11-13 (NIV) “¹¹ “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.  ¹² “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. ¹³ Six days you shall labor and do all your work,”

Unfortunately we tend to listen to what the world tells us.  Hebrews 13:9 (NIV) “Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.” We need to be careful not to listen to false teachings.  In this case we need to stop listening to what the world teaches and start following what Jesus teaches.

God will not forsake us or leave us.  He will always be with us renewing our strength and our spirits.  Let us show one another love, kindness and hospitality.  Let us seek God first in all we do.  Let us find our strength in Him…