September 20, 2023: Resting Like God

“for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4:10, ESV)

The Sabbath cannot be reduced to just not working! If it is, we have missed the whole point of the Sabbath. Vacation will not, nor can it, bring about a revival of the spirit man. Yes, the natural man can be somewhat refreshed, but your spirit will still be empty if you approach the Sabbath without being intentional about encountering God.
    
In John five, a lame man encounters Jesus on the Sabbath and Jesus heals the man. Jesus told him to take up his bed and walk. Upon seeing the man walking with his bed, the Pharisees told him to stop, as that was not lawful. The healed man was already resting (in the natural). But when He encountered the Lord of the Sabbath and was healed, his rest went to a whole new spiritual level!
    
Jesus, in that moment, declares, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”” (John 5:17, NLT) When we enter His rest, by ceasing our works, we have to realize that God is still working. And because He is working while we are resting, we experience His life flowing into us. We are encouraged, valued, and caused to feel refreshed because the Lord of the Sabbath renews our zeal! The goal of rest is revival! I take time to be with Him because when I am with Him, I am revived!