A bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities….ok, I can veg out in front of the tv
Freedom from activity or labor….yep, I can take a day off work or leave my messy house.
Peace of mind or spirit….oops this gets a little harder.
Free of anxieties or disturbance….yeah I would love that.
To cease from action or motion….so I don’t need to do anything?
Refrain from labor or exertion….ok, yes, I can refrain from labor; don’t know for how long before things start to unravel.
To cause to be firmly fixed….here is where I’m reminded of who or what we need to be firmly fixed on.
Yes, I’m thinking of Jesus. He is the one we can totally rest in and on. So if we leave all our anxieties, worries, disturbances at His feet, does that make us lazy? I don’t think so. I think for me it takes great effort to rest in Him. But then does that defeat the meaning of rest? No, it actually enhances rest for us when we let Him handle all our stuff.
Joseph Prince said, “Rest is not inactivity or laziness, but Holy Spirit-directed activity”
Today from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young – guess what the title is? REST
Here is part of this devotional I read for November 28th: Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. — 1 Peter 5:7
“REST in the deep assurance of My unfailing Love. Let your body, mind, and spirit relax in My Presence. Release into My care anything that is troubling you, so that you can focus your full attention on Me. Be awed by the vast dimensions of My Love for you: wider, longer, higher, and deeper than anything you know. Rejoice that this marvelous Love is yours forever!”
And here are some scriptures which specifically mention resting and the benefits of rest.
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And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest."
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"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
•Psalm 37:7
Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.