Posted: 04 January 2024

From a sermon given on 31 December 2023:

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
(Exodus 33:14)

If you have ever had a packed schedule, a full day or an excessive load of responsibilities, you probably know how easy it is to become tired. When we face burnout, we need to remember to rest, not only physically but also spiritually. However, we cannot find this rest through our own power. Rather, we must find rest in God and the hope and peace He has to offer.

It is the Lord who was going to be with his people in the promised land. He was going to give them rest not only from their enemies but from their labors as well.

There is a deeper rest than physical rest! You can be quite active and still find rest in Christ! People today are tired! There is an exhaustion of the soul that can only be refreshed "In Christ." Rest in the Lord refers to a spiritual rest from confusion, worry, stress, useless human effort, and a break from all internal, external, mortal, and spiritual enemies. As you begin a new year, our God will go with you and will also give you rest!

Further Readings:

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
(Psalm 127:2)

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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30)

Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
(Hebrews 9:9-11)