“Now the promise of entering into God’s rest is still for us today. So we must be extremely careful to ensure that we all embrace the fullness of that promise and not fail to experience it. For we have heard the good news of deliverance just as they did, yet they didn’t join their faith with the Word. Instead, what they heard didn’t affect them deeply, for they doubted.” Hebrews 4:1-2
Entering into God’s Rest
The theme of ‘entering into God’s rest’ indeed presents a rich tapestry of theological significance throughout the biblical narrative. It is a concept that transcends mere physical rest and delves into the spiritual realm, offering a holistic sense of peace and fulfilment that stems from a relationship with God. This rest is portrayed as both a present reality and a future hope, a dynamic invitation to lay aside one’s own works and enter into the rest that God has prepared. It is a rest that speaks of completion, wholeness, and ultimate redemption—a promise that provides comfort and assurance to believers throughout their spiritual journey.
The Rhythm of Life
What is the rhythm of your life today? Does it feel like a furious drumbeat that jolts you out of bed and keeps pounding faster and faster every day? Or is it a nice, steady groove that gives you room to savour the important things in life? Are you keeping a tempo that is healthy and sustainable? Or is it one that runs you ragged and leaves you completely drained?
Listen to this invitation that the Lord has extended to you:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” – Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
The Lord wants you to come to Him, and when you do. He will give you rest. No rules to follow or requirements to live up to. Rest! How wonderful it is to hear the voice of our Lord Jesus calling us to “learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” How amazing it is to know that our Lord Jesus has a rhythm. Grace has a rhythm that is unforced, gentle, easy and light. These are the words that capture the essence of walking with our Lord Jesus.
In today’s society, we are constantly bombarded with contemporary trends and fads that promise to improve our health and well-being. However, instead of feeling more relaxed and balanced, we often end up feeling more stressed and overwhelmed by trying to keep up with them all. There is always something new and trendy that claims to make us healthier and happier. But do they really work? Or do they just add more pressure and anxiety to our lives? Sometimes it feels like we cannot keep up with all the changes and expectations.
Many individuals in today’s society feel overwhelmed by the demands and pressures of the modern lifestyle. They seek ways to disconnect from the constant stream of information and communication that surrounds them. We all share a common experience of feeling restless, uneasy and insecure in our lives. We all desire to find rest, to stop the endless cycle of activity and to be still in the presence of our Creator. This is a universal human longing that transcends race, culture or background.
In this study we are focusing on soul rest, getting away with Jesus. We know that life can be hectic and stressful, especially in these uncertain times. That is why we want to invite you to join us for a relaxing and refreshing retreat with our Lord and Saviour. You will learn how to find peace and joy in His presence, how to surrender your worries and burdens to Him, and how to experience His grace and love in a deeper way. So don’t miss this opportunity to recharge your batteries, renew your mind, and restore your soul with Jesus. He is waiting for you with open arms! As the psalmist says,
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” Psalm 23:2-3
Eternal Rest
We will begin our study in The Book of Genesis (The Book of Beginnings.) When studying Genesis chapters 1-2:3, it is important to understand that “rest” is not something God does because He is tired, or the absence of him doing anything on the seventh day. Rest is the culmination and purpose of God’s creative activity.
Isaiah 40:28 NKJV – “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.”
Genesis chapters 1-2:3 provide a structured account of how God created the world, which displays a significant amount of repetition in language. Creation’s narrative unfolds gradually, with a sense of suspense and expectation that reaches its climax in God’s rest. The first six days in particular fit a common pattern: God speaks, it happens, God sees that it is good and there is evening and morning. This pattern though is broken with the account of the seventh day.
Genesis 2:1-3 KJV – Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 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. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Whereas the initial six days of creation are punctuated by the recurring phrase “and there was evening and there was morning,” the seventh day breaks this pattern, lacking such a conclusion, suggesting a perpetual state, only disrupted by sin’s entrance.
The exclusion of this formula from the seventh day narrative is far from an oversight or inconsequential detail. It marks a significant deviation from the preceding days’ structure, each marked by God’s evaluative blessing. Therefore, the omission of the formula is a deliberate choice by the author to highlight the importance of the seventh day and the hoped for eternal rest to come, whereby the seventh day in Genesis also serves to prefigure eternal rest.
God’s Rest and God’s Word
When studying Genesis chapters 1-2:3 it is observed that God spoke creation into being, but considering the emphasis of the seventh day in Genesis 2:1-3, what is the relationship between God’s word and God’s rest? Rest is the fruit of God’s word, existing when God’s word has achieved what it was meant to achieve. This is a profound insight, when we consider the power of God’s word to accomplish its purpose in our lives the result would be God’s rest. We are in need of God’s rest-oration. Contrary to the worldview of the nations that surrounded Israel, rest is not the achievement of human activity but the fruit solely of God’s word.
What does God say in the creation narrative? He commands the world into being and he commands humanity to be fruitful, to fill the earth and subdue it, and to rule over his creation. Crucially, he also commands them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 2:17 NKJV – but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
As long as Adam and Eve continue to abide in God’s word, they abide in His rest. This privilege of dwelling within God’s serenity comes with the duty to heed His command. Disobedience would forfeit their place in this peace and incur the repercussions of their transgression.
Their wrongdoing leads to banishment from Eden, implying a forfeiture of divine rest in favour of toil. This contrast between toil and divine rest is underscored in the life of Noah, as following section of this study will explain.
According to the Genesis account, God’s creation of the world was capped with the creation of Adam on the sixth day, followed by a day of rest on the seventh day, so when God created Adam and gave him breath, Adam entered into God’s rest. The regeneration of New Testament believers is prefigured by this event as we became a new creation in Christ Jesus when the Holy Spirit gave us breath, and we entered into God’s perfect and complete work of redemption. Just as God’s work of creation was complete and perfect, and Adam had no part in it, in the same way, redemption mirrors this attribute; it stands complete and requires no contribution from us. It is solely through faith that we enter this divine grace.
Genesis 2:17 NKJV – but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they experienced a profound alteration in their perception of reality. They realised that they were naked, vulnerable, and mortal. They felt shame, fear, and guilt for the first time. They lost their innocence and their intimate communion with God. They were no longer at peace with themselves, each other, or their Creator. They had awakened from God’s rest, and now they faced the consequences of their disobedience and the challenges of living in a fallen world.
Genesis 3:7-8 KJV – And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
Genesis 3:17-19 KJV – And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Genesis 3:7-8 narrates a pivotal moment in human history: the realisation of sin and its immediate consequences. This passage marks the beginning of humanity’s awareness of their separation from God, an event that has echoed through the ages, manifesting as an innate longing for redemption. The narrative of the fall in Eden encapsulates the human condition—our inherent struggle with sin and the ceaseless search for rest. Pain, suffering, death and a profound sense of alienation have been the curse’s companions since that fateful day. In attempts to alleviate this burden, humanity has turned to religion, morality, philosophy, and even hedonism, yet none have succeeded in providing lasting peace.
It is within this context that the promise of Jesus Christ emerges as the singular beacon of hope. His invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” offers a unique solution to our deepest plight. Unlike other attempts to find relief, Jesus addresses the core issue—our estrangement from God—and provides a path to reconciliation and true rest through His sacrifice.
(Matthew 11:28) speaks to the profound promise of God’s rest, an assurance that beckons the faithful, yet remains not fully realised. In this interim of hope and obedience, they await the day to bask in His eternal glory.
Rest in Noah’s Life
The narrative of creation and the story of Noah are indeed intertwined with the concept of divine rest. In the creation account, God’s rest comes after the completion of the cosmos, symbolising a state of perfection and harmony. The fall disrupts this peace, leading to a world out of balance. Noah’s tale then becomes a microcosm of this larger story, where his finding favour in God’s eyes represents humanity’s hope for a return to that initial state of divine rest. Noah’s ark, in essence, is an ark of hope—a vessel carrying the promise of a new beginning and the restoration of the world to its intended order.
This theme resonates throughout the Old Testament as a beacon of hope for the faithful, suggesting that despite the chaos and judgment, there is a divine plan for renewal and peace. Noah’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, there is potential for rebirth and a return to God’s rest, which holds profound implications for the destiny of God’s people. It is a narrative that not only reflects on the past but also casts a vision for a future where balance and peace are restored under divine providence.
Noah’s Name Means Rest
Genesis 5:28-29 AMP – When Lamech was a hundred and eighty-two years old, he became the father of a son. He named him Noah, saying, “This one shall bring us rest and comfort from our work and from the [dreadful] toil of our hands because of the ground which the Lord cursed.”
The name Noah, as it is commonly known in English, originates from the Hebrew name Noach, which is derived from the root ‘nuach’, meaning ‘rest’. When Lamech named his son Noah, he foresaw a bearer of solace amidst hardship, a comforter against the relentless toil imposed by the cursed ground. Noah’s name encapsulates his destined role to alleviate humanity from the burdens of a fallen world.
Genesis 6:8 NKJV – But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
The story of Noah is a profound illustration of the interplay between rest and grace. It is fascinating to consider that Noah’s name itself, rooted in the concept of rest, reflects a deeper spiritual truth. In the biblical narrative, rest is more than just physical repose; it’s an act of faith, a deliberate choice to trust in God rather than one’s own endeavours. The notion that ‘rest finds grace with the Lord’ suggests that in the act of resting, one enters a space of receptivity to God’s grace—a grace that signifies divine intervention and support rather than human effort.
The narrative of Noah transcends the tale of deluge; it intertwines with creation’s saga, echoing the disruption of divine rest through human transgression. It is through Noah’s story that we perceive a glimmer of restored harmony, a hint at divine rest reinstated, as humanity and creation await a redemptive act to reinstate God’s sabbatical rest with His creation.
Noah, in obedience to the divine command, constructed the ark, a sanctuary against the looming flood. This narrative once again underscores the relationship between Gods word and God rest. Noah, alongside his kin, sought refuge within the ark, anticipating the fulfilment of the Almighty’s vow—a seven-day vigil. (Gen 7:4) As the deluge engulfed the earth, it eventually began to recede, and the ark found its rest atop Mount Ararat’s pinnacle (Gen 8:4), an ingenious nod to Noah’s name. Noah dispatched a dove, yet it returned, having found no rest (Gen 8:9); thus, Noah endured another wait. With the abatement of the floodwaters, they vacated the ark; Noah then erected an altar to present burnt offerings that ascended as a “pleasing aroma” to God (Gen 8:21), a phrase that could also be rendered as “rest-inducing”—a testament to Noah’s name and indicative of divine wrath being quelled by this fragrant offering. This view is supported further by recognising the play on words between “comfort” and the Lord “grieving” humanity’s sin (Gen 6:6) which introduces the flood narrative.
Further to this both Adam (Gen 2:5) and Noah (Gen 9:20) are described as workers of the ground, and in both stories the land is cursed because of man; in Gen 3:17 because of Adam’s sin and in (Gen 8.21) God promises not to curse the ground again “because of man.” Noah is depicted as a second Adam; akin to how God presented animals to Adam for naming, so too were they brought before Noah, with both charged with the mandate to multiply across the earth (Gen 1:28; 9:7).
Yet this was not a re-creation; sin persisted within Noah and his offspring, and divine judgment remained an impending eventuality (Gen 9:4); true divine rest had yet to manifest, with only respite from antediluvian corruption being granted. It is interesting to note that Noah is commissioned to fill the earth, yet the command to subdue is lacking. This contrasts with Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land, which is spoken of as the land being subdued before the Lord (Num 32:22), which alludes to a type of Edenic restoration.
Genesis 9:7 NKJV – And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth And multiply in it.”
So the absence of the command to subdue the land in Gen 9:7 emphasises the point that the flood was not the reversal of the fall; man’s relationship to creation was still marred by the sin and humanity is still unable to subdue the land as the Lord commanded. The ultimate reversal of the fall in the re-creation was still to come, Noah was not the end of the story, he merely prefigured it.
The flood therefore brings comfort by bringing so much of humanities sinfulness to an end. Noah is a reassurance and comfort because he points to God’s judgment on sin, God’s continued involvement in his creation and that God’s eternal rest will be restored through an act of re-creation following God’s judgment on sin. God’s plan of salvation for humanity has been unfolding since the fall of Adam. He wants to restore us to wholeness, bless us abundantly, and give us rest. The Scriptures reveal the ultimate goal of that rest when a loud voice from His throne will announce, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with humanity. He will live with them as their God; they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them” (Rev 21:3). When God comes back in the fullness of His glory there will be no more pain, no more dread, no more worry and distress, but all things will be restored in Him.
The Sabbath
The Sabbath represents a significant concept within both the Old and New Testaments, serving as a symbol of rest and worship. Initially established by God during creation, the Sabbath was sanctified as a day of rest on the seventh day. This tradition was later instituted within the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai, emphasising its enduring importance. Intriguingly, the practice of observing the Sabbath predates the formal reception of the law. The book of Exodus recounts that God provided manna to sustain the Israelites in the wilderness, instructing them to collect a double portion before the Sabbath, underscoring its observance even before Sinai.
As time progressed, interpretations of how to observe the Sabbath became increasingly rigid. By Jesus’ era, it had transformed into a burdensome obligation, laden with intricate rules that obscured its original intent. Jesus sought to restore the Sabbath’s essence, teaching that it was made for humanity’s benefit—a day of relief and reflection rather than restriction. The New Testament further exposes this concept, particularly in Colossians 2:16-17.
Colossians 2:16-17 NKJV – So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Here, Paul advises against allowing others to pass judgment on personal religious practices related to holy days. He presents the Sabbath as a precursor to Christ’s coming—the substance that fulfils the symbolic rest previously signified by the Sabbath day.
The Sabbath was a shadow of things to come, not bound to a specific day but embodied in our Lord Jesus. He represents the true essence of the Sabbath. Reflect on this: Why did God rest on the seventh day? Isaiah tells us God does not grow weary (Isa 40:28), so His rest was not due to tiredness but a completion of creation (Ex 31:17). Israel honoured the Sabbath on Saturday because of the Rest of Creation, yet as Christ’s followers, we celebrate our rest on Sunday, the day of Redemption’s rest, marking Jesus’ resurrection and a new beginning. This understanding eluded the religious leaders of Jesus’ time, who instead of embracing healing on the Sabbath, saw it as a violation of law, leading to their persecution of Jesus (John 5:16-18).
Ever since Adam’s fall, the divine plan has been in motion, aiming for humanity’s redemption, completeness and restoration. The religious authorities in Jesus’ time did not understand this at all. Instead of rejoicing when people were healed, they were angry that Jesus did such miracles on the Sabbath, because they thought He had broken the Sabbath law by working. For instance, the Bible says, “So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules. But Jesus replied, ‘My Father is always working, and so am I. So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him” (John 5:16-18). The Jewish leaders wanted to kill Jesus simply because He had healed a man at the Pool of Bethesda who had been sick for thirty-eight years.
The man at the pool of Bethesda had lain on his bed for thirty-eight years. There was no activity on his part because he could not move. But was that true rest for him? No! Rest for him was when the Lord Jesus told him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk” (John 5:8), and he was able to do so after almost four decades. That was the greatest Sabbath of his life! Yet, the Jews told the man, “It is not lawful for you to carry your bed” (John 5:10), because it was the Sabbath. The book of Mark also records how Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath and how the Pharisees “went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him” (Mark 3:6).
In another incident, our Lord Jesus healed a woman who had been bowed down for eighteen years when He was teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath. The ruler of the synagogue was upset and said, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day” (Luke 13:14). To the ruler, healing was work, and it broke the law of the Sabbath. But our Lord Jesus replied, “Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound … for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” (see Luke 13:16). Our Lord Jesus showed us that the true substance of the Sabbath rest is not about doing nothing. It is not inactivity; it is activity directed by the Spirit of God, the way our Lord Jesus was led to heal and restore. He came to give us true rest-rest from our infirmities, rest from the cares that cause us to be bowed down, rest from the bondages of sin!
Rest and the Promised Land
The discourse in Hebrews 3-4 about entering God’s rest raises questions. What is meant by “rest” in this context? Can we partake of it? Where do we fail to achieve it?
Hebrews 3 reflects on God’s rest with the Israelites’ journey. Canaan was their promised reward, assured with protection and tranquillity (Deuteronomy 12:9–10). Full faith in God’s vows was their sole charge. Yet, dissent and longing for Egyptian servitude arose (Exodus 16:3; 17:1–7; Numbers 20:3–13). Previously, God’s rest was tied to Canaan—a haven from foes and strife. Now, it signifies an inner spiritual peace, not tied to a place but a serene state of being.
Disobedience incited God’s wrath, prohibiting that generation from His rest (Hebrews 3:11). Despite efforts to guide them back, they remained unyielding. Warnings, pleas, mercy, judgments—none swayed them towards repentance; exclusion from the Promised Land was their fate (Hebrews 3:16–19). Yet, the subsequent generation, placing trust in God and led by Joshua, did attain that rest in Canaan after forty years (Joshua 3:14–17).
The writer of Hebrews illustrates the Israelites’ lack of trust in God’s promises, leading to their forfeiture of His rest. This historical example serves as a cautionary tale for Hebrew Christians and contemporary believers alike, emphasising the enduring opportunity to embrace God’s rest as stated in Hebrews 4:1. The passage underscores that Jesus Christ’s sacrificial act on the cross, offering forgiveness and eternal life, is the sole path to salvation’s rest—a promise from God that remains steadfast. Faith is highlighted as the essential ingredient for accessing this spiritual rest.
Hebrews 4:10–13 delves into the relationship between faith and the divine rest promised by God. It suggests that true faith involves relinquishing self-reliance in favour of trusting God’s actions. Concurrently, the text exhorts believers to diligently pursue this rest to avoid the pitfalls of disobedience exemplified by the Israelites’ history.
The author of Hebrews issues a stark warning against emulating the Israelites’ disobedience, which barred them from God’s rest, as recounted in Hebrews 4:11. The choice presented is clear: rely on personal efforts for salvation or trust in the grace offered through Christ’s crucifixion. A failure to trust in God’s promises equates to disobedience and results in missing His rest, both presently and eternally, mirroring the Israelites’ loss of the Promised Land.
One way to experience God’s rest is to stop trusting in ourselves and our own abilities. We need to understand that we cannot earn God’s rest by our own works or achievements. We need to rely on what Christ has done for us and follow God’s will in everything. “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith” (Hebrews 4:1–2).
Summary of Hebrews 3 and 4
These chapters contain many intricate and subtle details that are important for our understanding. In this section, we will give a brief overview of the main points that you should be aware of. Here is a summary of the key aspects that you need to know. God’s rest is not a one-time event, but a continuous invitation for those who trust Him. The writer illustrates this point by examining contrasting times in history when God offered his rest to various people, and how they reacted to his gift. The writer wants to encourage us to receive God’s rest now by faith.
Using Hebrews 4:4 as a reference, the author of Hebrews explains that God created a state of rest and peace, where he can have fellowship with his people. He calls this state a “Sabbath rest,” because it is related to the seventh day of creation, when God ceased from all his works. This rest is not confined to one day; it is everlasting.
He continues with the example of Israel’s rebellion in the wilderness and their rejection of God. Hebrews 4:5 (quoting Psalm 95:11) states: “And in this place again, ‘They shall not enter into my rest.'” The Promised Land represents God’s final rest, and their unfaithful disobedience keeps them from it. This raises the issue of whether a Sabbath rest is still available for God’s people. The conquest of Canaan under Joshua was a stage in God’s plan for his people’s rest, but it was not the ultimate fulfilment of God’s promise. Hebrews 4:8 confirms this: “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.”
This implies that the rest Joshua secured in the land of Canaan was not the final rest that God had prepared for his people. How do we know that? Because God referred to another day – another rest that was still future years later.
The author then transitions to a period when David wrote Psalm 95. Hebrews 4:7 states, “He again appoints a specific day, ‘Today,’ when he speaks through David much later, as already quoted, ‘Today, if you listen to his voice, do not harden your hearts.’” This implies that even after the people settled in the rest of the promised land, God still offered them a rest of salvation: If they did not harden their hearts, they would enter his rest (mentioned at the end of Psalm 95:11) (Hebrews 3:11; 4:3).
The writer of Hebrews draws on this historical overview to make a key point about the Sabbath rest that God offers to his people and in this era of history, namely, today – verse 9: “Therefore a Sabbath rest still remains for God’s people.” That is, today, the rest is still accessible. This is the essence of God’s message to you today: There is a rest prepared for you today. God welcomes you to rest. The door is not shut. The time is not up. You have not missed your last opportunity. Pay attention to the words of verse 9: “Therefore a Sabbath rest still remains for God’s people.”
Labour to Enter His Rest
Unfortunately, while it sounds so easy to simply abide and rest in Him, it’s often the hardest thing for us to do. And that is why the Lord has to tell us to “labour therefore to enter into that rest” (Heb. 4:11 KJV). This verse from Hebrews speaks to this struggle, highlighting the paradoxical effort required to truly rest. This ‘labour’ to enter into rest is a journey of letting go of personal glory and achievements, embracing belief over doubt, and finding strength in the assurance that everything has been accomplished for us at the cross. It is a reminder that sometimes the most challenging tasks are not those that require physical exertion, but those that call for inner calm and the courage to believe in God.
True rest is found not in the hustle of human efforts but in the assurance of God’s power, promises and provisions. This rest is not passive; it is an active rest that involves a conscious decision to let go and trust in God who is greater than us. It is about surrendering the need for control and acknowledging that some things are beyond human ability to fix or achieve. In this state of rest, one is said to find true fulfilment and joy, as it allows for a life lived in harmony with God’s divine will, leading to an abundance of spiritual fruits. It is a paradoxical labour, one that requires effort to remain effortless, a journey to find stillness amidst the chaos of life.
It’s an invitation to embrace a form of effort that is counterintuitive; to work diligently towards a state of restfulness. This biblical concept challenges the common notion that rest is the absence of activity, suggesting instead that it is an active state of trust and surrender. It’s about finding peace not by escaping life’s demands, but by engaging with them in a way that aligns with God’s divine guidance. The labour to enter into rest is thus a transformative process, one that reshapes our understanding of effort and achievement, and redefines what it means to live a fulfilled and balanced life. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most profound growth comes when we learn to let go and trust in the journey, rather than the destination.
The concept of the “let-go life” is a profound spiritual principle that resonates deeply with many believers. It speaks to the heart of faith, where human effort aligns with God’s divine will, creating a synergy that transcends mere human capabilities. This principle, beautifully illustrated in Philippians 2:13, suggests that when individuals yield to the divine, they tap into an extraordinary source of strength and purpose. It is about moving beyond self-reliance to a place of reliance on God’s higher power and wisdom, which guides and empowers.
The concept of finding balance between effort and ease is a profound one, it is likened to the natural world, where growth and productivity occur as a result of inherent rhythms and cycles rather than forced effort. In this view, the most effective form of action is one that flows naturally from a state of restful alignment with God, allowing for a sustainable and harmonious way of living. It’s a reminder that sometimes, by stepping back and trusting in a greater flow, we might find ourselves more aligned with the path of true prosperity and well-being.
The Holiness of Time
When we trace the movement of the creation story, we see the progression from chaos to order to rest. The physical world is blessed, humanity is blessed, and it is all ‘very good’. But the climax of creation is not humanity or the blessing of the physical world. The summary of all creation is rest in the holiness of time. We know that the physical world was blessed, brought into order and teemed with abundant life, but how can this be true of time? How is it that time can be fertile, productive and pregnant with the potential for new life?
What does it mean for time to be blessed and consecrated? When time is blessed, it transforms into a medium that sustains creation, allowing it to flourish and produce in abundance. The seventh day’s blessing and rest prevent creation from descending into an endless vortex of activity. Through blessing and cessation, the world finds a moment to halt, recuperate, and celebrate its productivity anew. Similarly, humanity requires times of sanctity and rest to avoid a life mired in ceaseless labour, anxiety, stress, fear, and fatigue. The blessing of time is tied to our capacity to step away from our routine work to spend time in God’s presence, offering rest to our bodies and souls. The seventh day’s cessation is unique within creation because it is sanctified or consecrated. In Hebrew, ‘consecrate’ (qadash) signifies the act of separating something from ordinary use and dedicating it to God. Consecration renders an object or person sacred, transitioning it into a state of holiness. This concept is evident in biblical practices involving sacrifices, offerings, and worship instruments. Once dedicated to God, these items exit the secular realm for divine service. Similarly, individuals like Aaron and his fellow priests were consecrated for service in the tabernacle (Ex 29:1). Consecration thus involves extracting elements from the mundane world for exclusive use in divine worship.
In the fast-paced world we live in, where too many people are connected every moment to demands placed on them by work, friends, and family through unrelenting notifications from their smartphones, the concept of “rest” might be foreign and perhaps even absurd. But we cannot let the world tell us how to live our lives, and we should want to know what our Creator has to say! The first time the Hebrew word for holiness (qadash) appears in the Bible is in the second chapter of Genesis:
And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Genesis 2:2-3
The Hebrew word used for “sanctified” here is qadash, which means “to be set apart” and “to be consecrated.” It is the same word used for “holy,” hence the New Living Translation renders verse three as “And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy.” So we see that the first mention of holiness is tied up with rest, which is also mentioned for the first time here. God set apart the seventh day as a day of rest and made it holy. Rest is holy. The Creator of the heavens and the earth Himself rested. So who are we to think that we do not need to rest or that we cannot afford to rest?
Setting Apart Holy Time
The sanctification of time is our way of finding footholds in the endless stream of seasons and years. Without these moments, time and life can blur into obscurity. Holy time also comes through the liturgy of the Church. Each year we mark the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ at Christmas, Holy Week, Easter and on Sundays. In the detailed rhythm of the liturgical year there are times for daily prayer, reading of Scripture, and remembering Jesus’ life in different seasons.
Entering these sacred times separates us from our normal experience of life: Just as a church constitutes a break in plane in the profane space of a modern city, the service celebrated inside marks a break in profane temporal duration. When we enter into liturgical time, we remove ourselves from chronological time, or that linear time by which we measure moments in history. Liturgical time recalls a particular moment in history that is re-created, re-lived and re-actualised as if it is an eternal present.
Take, for example, the celebration of the Communion. When Christians celebrate the Communion, we are not recalling an event from the distant past, but we are re-actualising the Passion narrative of Christ. We are placing ourselves around the table at the Last Supper and receiving the bread and the wine from the Lord who says, ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’ Time breaks open as we embrace past events in the present and let them reshape our identity in Christ and within the community of the Church. Church liturgy is not dull repetition, but it is re-creating sacred moments in history so that they come alive in the present and help us rediscover our identity as the people of God. In these Christian ordinances, we construct sacred buildings in time, designed to bear the weight of God’s holy works in this world.
In Christian theology, a distinction is often made between the Greek terms for time: chronos and kairos. Chronos refers to chronological or linear time, indicating when something happens. Kairos denotes a critical or opportune moment. In the New Testament, kairos most often signifies God’s appointed time. Paul speaks of the mystery of Christ being revealed in the ‘fullness of time’ (Eph. 1:10), describing the incarnation as a kairos moment that fundamentally changes all of history. With the arrival of the new age of the Spirit following Christ’s ascension, God remains active in time, creating opportunities and new possibilities through His presence. In these kairos moments, we are invited into the grand divine drama of history and participate in rituals that commemorate these events. This involvement draws us into the divine drama where heavenly and earthly kingdoms merge into one.
Embracing a Sabbath lifestyle is a profound practice that transcends mere routine, becoming a cherished ritual for many. It’s a commitment to pause, reflect, and honour the sacred time amidst our bustling lives. This discipline often involves a conscious cessation of work-related activities, allowing one to fully immerse in moments of tranquillity and spiritual rejuvenation. Whether it is the symbolic act of turning off digital devices or the methodical preparation leading up to this period, each individual’s approach to welcoming this time is unique and deeply personal. The essence lies in the deliberate intention to disconnect from the mundane, to foster a space where one can connect with God, thus finding peace and a renewed sense of purpose.
This sacred time, set apart with intention and care, allows individuals to reconnect with God, to find peace amidst life’s relentless pace. It is a deliberate pause, a conscious choice to step away from the temporal and step into the eternal. The Sabbath rest, therefore, is not just a day but a state of being, a weekly journey into the heart of what it means to be human and to be in communion with God. It is a practice that, with discipline and dedication, can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, infusing every aspect of life with deeper meaning and purpose.
The concept of Sabbath and its observance has evolved significantly over time, reflecting a journey from strict adherence to religious laws to a more personal and spiritual experience of rest and reflection. The teachings of Jesus brought a transformative perspective on the Sabbath, emphasising the importance of the spirit rather than the letter of the law. This shift highlights the essence of the Sabbath as a time for renewal and connection with the divine, rather than a rigid set of rules to be followed. In the Christian faith, the resurrection of Christ is seen as a fulfilment of the promise of rest, offering believers a deeper, more profound rest in the spiritual realm. This understanding of the Sabbath is not about discarding the old but rather reinterpreting it in the light of grace and freedom found in the new covenant, inviting followers to find true rest in the holistic sense that encompasses body, soul, and spirit.
The concept of entering into God’s rest, particularly in the context of the Sabbath, is seen as a time for reflection, renewal, and a deep connection with God. This practice, rooted in ancient texts, transcends mere physical rest; it’s a spiritual reprieve that fosters a sense of peace and completeness. By setting aside dedicated time for rest, individuals and communities are invited to step away from the busyness of life, to find solace and strength in stillness. It is a tradition that not only honours the past but also enriches the present, allowing for a moment of tranquillity in a world that is often anything but peaceful. In this way, the Sabbath serves as a weekly retreat, a sanctuary in time that offers a glimpse of a harmonious world, where rest is not an afterthought but a sacred rhythm integral to life itself.
Abide in the True Vine
John 15:5 NKJV – “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
The concept of ‘abiding’ symbolises a deep, enduring connection. It suggests a state of being that is constant and unwavering, much like branches are to a vine. In this metaphor, the branches are not responsible for producing the sap; they simply remain connected to the vine, which is the source of life and sustenance. This enduring connection ensures that the branches are nourished and able to bear fruit. The imagery speaks to the idea of a spiritual union that is maintained not through effort, but through a state of restful trust.
This connection provides peace in times of stress, wisdom when decisions loom large, and strength during periods of fatigue. It emphasises a life of rest and dependence, where the burdens of self-reliance are released, and one’s cares are entrusted to God. The concept of restful increase versus stressful increase is a profound one. It suggests that when we align ourselves with Jesus, we can achieve growth and success without the burnout associated with striving solely through our own efforts. It’s a reminder that sometimes, letting go and trusting the process can be more powerful than trying to control every outcome. The life of restful trust, is about surrendering to a greater flow, finding strength in vulnerability, and embracing the peace that comes from faith and trust.
Resting in Jesus is a journey of trust and surrender, a path where one acknowledges that true strength and progress come from a source greater than oneself. It’s about releasing the tight grip of control and opening up to a flow of grace and power that can only come through faith. This approach to life encourages a sense of peace and confidence, knowing that one is not alone in one’s endeavours. It’s a life of partnership with the Lord Jesus Christ, where human efforts are combined with His spiritual support, leading to a harmonious existence that transcends mere self-reliance.
The let-go life is not about inaction; it’s about aligned action with a trust in a higher plan.