Cease and Rest

An oft repeated question here is, “did you rest well?”  The older us seem to have good nights and not-so-good nights of rest.  When one or the other has a restless night, we both usually know it.  Many of you will recall in the sitcoms of the 50’s and 60’s, couples usually slept in separate twin-size beds.  Aha, now we know why!

 

Genuine rest is important to God, and because of Him it really does exist!  A bedding company may boast of its product delivering a good night's sleep, but they cannot guarantee rest!  A concise definition of rest is "to cease."  Even the Hebrew word used in Genesis 2:3 stating God "rested" from His work in creation means He ceased [from His work].  We all anticipate and benefit from times of physical and mental rest, but what about rest for the spirit that seems to be unable to cease from endless struggle with evil lest we be overtaken?  The promise of eternal salvation is rooted solely in faith, as is rest for the day.  Scripture tells us God counted Abraham as righteous because of his faith (Genesis 15:6).  The promise of salvation "depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace" (Romans 4:16).  It is because of grace we are saved through faith, not of ourselves! (Ephesians 2:8).  There we have it -- ultimately, we have rest today and for eternity because of faith in Jesus Christ!  We must stop all the striving for peace, hope, comfort, sustenance, etc. – God's Grace is sufficient both for salvation and for daily living.  Christian friend, there is no cause for restlessness – acknowledge Him and His might power … cease and rest.