God blessed the seventh day

.... and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made (Genesis 2:3).  Nobody thinks that God needed to rest, and in fact Christ told us that the sabbath (the seventh day) was made for man, not man for the sabbath (Mark 2:27). He was of course responding to the overly legalistic attitude of the Pharisees concerning the commandment to rest on the sabbath day. The reason given for the command,  is that the Lord rested on the seventh day (Exodus 20:11). But why “made for man?” It's not that long ago that many things stopped on Sundays (the Christian sabbath), including stores being closed. It was a family day, a day to slow down and rest, a day to take stock and relax. It established a rhythm that prevented burn out, rhythms of life promote health. There is a time to work, a time to sleep, a time everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). In particular, the sabbath was a times to acknowledge and worship God in a deeper way, and to assess our priorities.

The intensity our busyness,  the frantic pace of our Western way of life speaks of our  need of sabbath rest.  Biblically, there is rest in the here and now,  and rest in eternity.  The two are linked, and both are included in Jesus' invitation to “come unto Me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest .... rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28, 29).  We come to Him to find rest, but paradoxically it's in our returning and rest that we are saved (delivered - Isaiah 30:15b).  It's partnership,  when we do our part,  being diligent to enter His rest (Hebrews 4:11), then He responds by giving us the rest we need.

The book of Hebrews has much to say about rest, about entering in,  and about the things that hinder it.  In particular disobedience and unbelief exclude us entering, and we are to fear least we fall short of entering it (Hebrews 3:18, 19; 4:1). The victorious Christian life is found in operating out of rest, dealing Biblically with our anxious thoughts (Philippians 4:4-8),  and finding strength in quietness and confidence (Isaiah 30:15c).  The reason we need to be diligent to enter His rest, is that it's a battle. The enemy of our souls came to kill,  steal and to destroy (John 10:10a). In particular he wants to kill,  steal and destroy our joy and our peace,  and to prevent us coming to the place of Shalom peace and rest, and in stillness and confidence. Just this morning, in the middle of the night, I had to get up and deal with doubt and anxiety. He has provided many resources to help in this process, and I learned long ago that when I am anxious, I need to sit in His presence and with His help, determine not to let Him go until He blesses me (Genesis 32:26).

Father, the hymn writer speaks of those whose rest it won.  In the meantime Lord,  You have works prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). The one who has entered Your rest has himself also ceased from his works as You did from Yours (Hebrews 4:10). It seems Lord that that we do not enter Your rest until our works,  wrought in trial and suffering are finished. Give is grace,  wisdom,  courage and endurance Lord,  to do these things in the here and now rest You give, and will give Your the glory in Jesus Name Amen