Rest

The interaction between the Lord and Moses found in Exodus 33 is a remarkable account of what transpired on Mount Sinai. The chapter begins with the Lord commanding Moses and the Israelites to go to the land that He had promised them. He also adds that He will not be going with them, but rather will send an angel to go before them.

This news understandably grieves Moses, and he enters his tent to earnestly intercede on behalf of himself and his people. During this intercession, Moses reminds the Lord of the promises that He had made him and asks that the Lord go with him as he leads the people forward. Moses clearly understood his need for the Lord and that the migration to the new land would be in vain if they went alone. The Lord responds in verse 33 with “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

The mentioning of rest has always stood out to me in this verse as such a peculiar provision at that moment. The phrase “shall go” is translated from the Hebrew word “yālaḵ” as “to go, walk and proceed”, and the word “rest” is translated from “nûaḥ” as “to repose, settle down and remain.” Not only did the Lord promise to go before Moses and to walk with him on his journey to the Promised Land, but he also secures rest and stability for him as well.

Not only did the Lord promise to go before Moses and to walk with him on his journey to the Promised Land, but he also secures rest and stability for him as well.

Caitlin Walker

This leads me to Jeremiah 29:11 KJV, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” This scripture is quoted so often that I think we easily lose our sense of awe regarding what God is speaking. God knows exactly where He desires to take us in life and knowing that should allow us to settle into a place of rest. We don’t have to fear tomorrow, next week, or next year because God already knows what our future holds.

God’s word shows us time and time again that He desires us to experience a holy rest that can only be found in and through Him. David speaks of rest in Psalms 4:8, God speaks through Jeremiah to His people about rest in Jeremiah 6:16 and God himself rested after His work (Genesis 2:2-3). So how does this apply to us today? Matthew 11:28-30 beckons us to come to the Father and in doing so, rest and the lifting of burdens can be found.

Needing time to rest is not a sin, but it is required if we are to function at our best and is necessary for all aspects of our health. 

Caitlin walker

It is time that we as Christians turn down the volume from the noise of culture that preaches “hustle,” and rather lean into the rest that God is speaking to us from His word. Needing time to rest is not a sin, but it is required if we are to function at our best and is necessary for all aspects of our health.  There is a time to work, but do not forget that there is a time to also rest, and the best place to do so is at the feet of Jesus. 

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” – Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)