Rest | Anchored in Hope Devotions

Rest is defined as a “bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities.”

Metabolic activities are those simple activities that keep your body continually going, active, and living. Rest is also characterized as a freedom from work or labor. Rest is taking time to do nothing and letting your body slow down.

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken” – Psalm 62:5-6

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” – Psalm 91:1

“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me” – Psalm 3:5

Getting rest is something that we need as human beings. If we just kept going without rest, we would break and our bodies would crumble.

Rest is important for us, and God knows this; that’s why He gives us such provision for rest, and it is the same reason why Satan tries to make us sin in our rest.

We can only find true and real rest in God that comes with rejuvenation and peace.

Satan knows how vulnerable we are when needing rest, though, and he lures us to fall into sin when we are tired and weak.

God’s rest looks like sitting down with family, sharing good conversations around cold lemonade, or reading the Bible next to a nice warm fire on a cold day. Satan’s rest looks like doom scrolling for hours or listening to music that we shouldn’t.

God’s rest is finding relaxation in a place of righteousness, whereas Satan’s is finding distraction in a place of disobedience. Very similar, but with completely different outcomes. One leaves you filled up, and the other leaves you drained.

It’s important to take care of your body and give it the proper, righteous, God-glorifying rest it needs. Find some rest today, listening to a sermon, talking with a friend, or just going on a walk. Take a breath from constantly going, and glorify God with your rest.

- Noah Davis