This one is for the believers who know their task. It's for those who see the Christian walk as a race, and "run in such a way as to get the prize," (1 Corinthians 9:24). They "fight the good fight of the faith," (1 Timothy 6:12). It's for those who are "not ashamed of the gospel," and feel the world judge them when they do not join in its reckless wild living, (1 Peter 4:4). This one is for those who deny themselves, "take up their cross daily and follow Jesus," (Luke 9:23). Those who put their love into action (1 John 3:18) are doing a good work for Christ. However, work can be exhausting. So, how can a righteous undying Christian relax?
It's ready, set, go it's another wild day
When the stress is on the rise
in my heart I feel You say
Just Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at My feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe
- Jonny Diaz
One might be convinced that since God's Word spurs people on to run and fight, then it cannot also be used to rest and relax. This is not the case.
The Bible says it can help believers relax in much the same way they already do. Many people relax by taking a nice warm bath. The Bible says it can cleanse someone "by the washing with water through the Word," (Ephesians 5:26). People relax by lighting scented candles, and God says He makes His people like a sweet fragrance (Hosea 14:6), that can smell of "nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon," (Song of Songs 4:14). People even relax by getting a foot rub, and the Bible says how beautiful and happy "are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace," (Isaiah 52:7). Sometimes people just want to relax by eating delicious chocolate, and so too is God's Word sweet to the taste, (Psalm 119:103). Needless to say, Jesus is sincere when He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," (Matthew 11:28).
That's what the Sabbath principle is in the Bible. God forbade this agrarian people from working who thought that their livelihood depended on working seven days a week. What a thrilling thing to be told not to work, right? "You cannot work, you have to relax today."
- John Piper
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| As the Bible says, those who delight in the Word meditate on it day and night (Psalm 1:2) and they should encourage other believers with it (1 Thessalonians 4:18). |
So, believer, let's take a moment now to relax with God's Word.
Jesus will give us rest. There is rest for the people of God, and "anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest," (Hebrews 4:9-11). Those who rest in the Lord will find comfort in Him. He is the "God of all comfort" and "our comfort abounds through Christ," (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). So, He speaks "comfort, comfort" and to His people is tenderly saying, "her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins," (Isaiah 40:1-2).
There is peace found in the Lord, for "the Lord blesses His people with peace," (Psalm 29:11). He "will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing," (Zephaniah 3:17). God's people may become anxious, but when anxiety is great within them, God's consolation brings them joy, (Psalm 94:19). Cast your cares on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7) and "do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself," (Matthew 6:34). Trust that "the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion." (Isaiah 30:18).
God is the defense of His people, and "He has become my salvation," (Psalm 118:14). Anyone who believes in God is His child (John 1:12). His messengers proclaim, "I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one," (1 John 2:12-13). His Word tells you this, "so that in Jesus you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! He has overcome the world," (John 16:33).
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| "Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go," (Joshua 1:9) "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus," (Philippians 1:6). |
May the grace of our Lord be with you
Now and always may you stay
Blameless till He comes
May the love of our Lord be with you
Now and always may you stay
Blameless till He comes
- Rebecca st. James
Sources
- The Bible (New International Version)
- Jonny Diaz - Breathe
- John Piper: What do you do to Relax
- Bible Study Tools: Encouraging and uplifting Verses
- Rebecca st. James: Omega
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