What does rest in the Bible mean? We have looked at what rest from work means for our bodies and how there is no rest for the weary. Some will rest and others will not. Then we looked at rest verses in the Bible that explained what a Sabbath Rest means.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have rest for your soul? Or restful and peaceful sleep?
Today we will explore more what rest in the Bible means. And you will find out more about that peace you desire.
Rest in the Bible Means
When we learned about Sabbath Rest, we found out this kind of rest is eternal rest. It is salvation that we have in Jesus and we can rest in God’s presence for all of eternity.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
The Greek word for peace is “eirene.” I love how the Strong’s dictionary defines it. Peace in Christianity is:
the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot.
Strong’s G1515, word peace: EIRENE
Get Justification, Get Peace
When we have faith in Jesus Christ, then we are justified by faith. Jesus’ blood cleansed us from all unrighteousness, so justified means that we are declared righteous. That is how God sees us.
Because we have this justification through our salvation in Christ, we have PEACE. And the Strong’s calls that peace a tranquil state of the soul.
In that state, we don’t need to fear. Remember, what Jesus said in his discourse to the disciples before he left this earth?
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
Jesus gave us His peace so we don’t need to be afraid. Our only fear should be a referential fear of the Lord.
Rest in the Bible Means Peaceful Sleep
The righteous in Israel were being persecuted. God removed those who were persecuting them. This gave them peace and allowed them to rest in their beds.
He enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.
Isaiah 57:2
And when you are righteous and have peace, you have the benefit of sweet rest at night.
Why is Rest a struggle at times?
If we as Christians have peace due to being justified, why do we struggle with not having rest in our beds?
There are so many reasons we struggle with having a good night’s sleep. There can be hereditary sleep issues like sleep apnea or other health issues that can keep us awake.
Another reason could be too much blue light from computer, phone, or tablet screens before going to bed. According to the Sleep Foundation, too much blue light can affect the release of melatonin which makes us feel sleepy.
Or simply, you have so much on your mind from work or life, that you can’t fall asleep. All the issues, the worries, etc. can occupy your mind so you can’t fall asleep.
Anxious Toil Affects Sleep
The Psalmist talked about this.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalm 127:2
The Hebrew word, etseb, for ‘anxious toil,’ means sorrow or pain. A person who is striving to accomplish much and get ahead can bring on more pain or sorrow to their life. They are likely not getting the sleep they need or eating right when they go to bed late and then get up early.
The stress of trying to get ahead from my previous job affected my health and increased my anxiety. It was definitely giving me pain.
Notice that toiling for work is done in vain. The work becomes an empty task when we are running in this endless circle of trying to get ahead. When in reality, we are affecting our health by not properly caring for ourselves.
The Beloved Have Sleep
The Lord loves us and gives us the rest we need. This rest is the opposite of the one who toils for their work and is anxious and working in vain. Instead the beloved of the Lord are resting in His care and leaving the worries of the world and work at His feet.
This reminds me of the lilies of the field in Matthew 6.
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Matthew 6:28-29
We don’t need to worry about what we need. God will provide for us. We need to leave those cares at His feet and we will have sweet rest.
Pray instead of Worry
To combat that worry which robs your sleep, Paul tells us to pray. When we do that, we have peace. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding. This is that tranquil state of mind mentioned above.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
When I am laying in bed and unable to fall asleep, I pray. I will pray for friends, family members, and any issues that are on my heart. If you don’t know where to start, you can begin at the beginning of the alphabet and with those of a last name of A and work your way down. I have found that when I do this, my eyes get drowsy and I fall asleep. Then the next night pick up with the letter you left off at or start with Z and work your way backwards.
6 Verses of Rest in the Bible
These six verses will be ones for you to tuck in your pocket to know about rest. And these verses will keep you restful, encouraged, and enjoying the presence of the Lord.
1. Return/Repent to Rest
What happens when we have gone down our own path and need to be restored? We need to return or repent and the Lord willingly takes us back into his arms. He graciously gives us what we need.
Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
Psalm 116:7
2. Joyful Rest
He restores us. He reminds of the salvation we have in Him! And we have joy!
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:12
3. Restorative Rest
Restorative rest is like this picture in Psalm 23.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23:2-3
Doesn’t this sound glorious? We have a green pasture, calming waters near by, which bring restoration. And we willingly follow the path of righteousness.
4. Abiding Rest
When we sit down and stay (dwell) in the presence of God, we find rest in Him. That abiding is lodging or taking up residence there. I love that!
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
5. Safe Rest
In God, we have safety. We have peace and lie down. And when we lie down in safety, we sleep well.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
6. Salvation Rest
God is our refuge and strength. He delivers us from harm. And He will hold us close. In God, we have our salvation. And the place where we put our salvation in is where our glory is. That glory is honor, abundance, or riches.
On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Psalm 62:7
I am glad that my honor or riches are based on the salvation I have in God. And not in anything man has designed or I have accomplished.
Summary of Rest in the Bible
If you don’t know God and have His peace, you check out this page. It will bring you peace and that eternal rest that you long for. There is peace here on earth when you have Jesus. And when you abide or dwell in His presence and put your cares at His feet, you will have sweet rest.
Resource Library
The resource library has Bible verses to study each day, verses to memorize, etc. The verses for the next month will be up soon so check back later.
