The Blessing of Resting in Christ

Daily Devotional: Sunday, May 12, 2024
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)

It’s easy to underestimate the value of relaxation in the everyday craziness of our schedules and never-ending lists of tasks. However, in Genesis, God rested on the seventh day, blessing and sanctifying it, following six days of creating the earth and the heavens.

I Will Give You Rest

God did not rest because He was weary or exhausted; rather, it was a purposeful pattern for us to follow. Rest is more than just not working. It is a serious act of trust and surrender, a spiritual discipline. It’s accepting our reliance on God and realizing how limited we are.

God can work within us when we take the time to stop and purposefully carve out times of respite in our lives. Jesus invites us: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). This invitation is for a deep spiritual rest found in His presence, not merely a temporary bodily respite.

The Blessing of Resting in Christ

Resting in God means admitting that our value is independent of our output or achievements. It takes faith to rest in God, knowing that He is in charge even when we put our anxieties and tasks aside.

God communicates with us when we are at peace and quiet. He murmurs consoling, reassuring, and guiding phrases. He infuses us with His incomprehensible serenity and revitalizes our spirits. So let us embrace the blessing of resting in Christ, knowing that true rest for our tired spirits can only be found in His presence.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, I come to you because I want to enjoy the blessing of resting in your arms.