Winter rest is essential to many plants which enter a dormant stage during cold winter temperatures. When winter rest is over, spring begins and plants awaken with renewed life. Winter rest is essential before the spring blossoms appear.
Resting is something that I resist like most Americans with a busy schedule. God, our Father, knows the benefit of rest. He has created us to need rest. We cannot live a healthy life without fulfilling our need for rest. He gave us the perfect example of the Sabbath Rest after His creation of the of world.
God is very serious about rest since it is one of the Ten Commandments. Several of my brothers and sisters in Christ do better in this area than I do. I have a dear friend who is Seventh Day Adventist, who takes this command very seriously. The Jewish community has observed this command throughout their history. Although the principle of Sabbath Rest is observed and interpreted differently throughout varied religious sects, the principle is clear that we need rest.
I can remember stores closing on Sunday, as well as when they began to open of the Day of Rest. Then there was push for sporting events for children to include Sunday. Currently the news has been cautioning that children need more rest at night in order to perform their best while in school. And the list goes on.I
The Benefit of Rest
We will never know the benefit of rest unless we try to incorporate it into our day, night, week or even year. Since my children are grown, Sabbath rest is easier. Since I work, a day of rest is certainly necessary to prepare me to do my best during the week days. I do have to admit I am good at going to bed an early hour.
Benjamin Franklin must have known the benefits of rest with his advice through the popular quote: Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
There is nothing like a good night of rest for refreshing us physically and emotionally. Sunday is definitely a day for spiritual rest and renewal. I also personally enjoy my quiet time in the morning when the Lord fills my cup to overflowing, and prepares me for the day ahead. Winter rest has made me ponder on deep rest: spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. The Bible is full of references on rest. I have included a few for your own pondering. Perhaps I can incorporate more rest into my winter.
Scripture
Psalm 91:1 Amplified Bible (AMP)
91 He who [a]dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand].
Exodus 20:8 Amplified Bible (AMP)“Remember the Sabbath (seventh) day to keep it holy (set apart, dedicated to God). 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath [a day of rest dedicated] to the Lord your God; on that day you shall not do any work, you or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock or the temporary resident (foreigner) who stays within your [city] gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy [that is, set it apart for His purposes].
Jeremiah 6:16 Amplified Bible (AMP)
16
Thus says the Lord,
“Stand by the roads and look; ask for the ancient paths,
Where the good way is; then walk in it,
And you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’
Today’s Glory
My beloved, enter into my rest. As you enter into to my presence it is there that you cease from worry, fear, striving, work. As you hide in the shadow of my wing you are trusting in My Mighty power for all your needs. Allow your body , mind and spirit to relax into my Presence. Let your heart rejoice with thanksgiving for all of My goodness toward you. Rest, be refreshed, revived and renewed as you find rest for your soul.
© 2019 Nanette M. Holloway All Rights Reserved
