Years ago, one of my brother’s friends came visiting him at home. He did not meet my brother, so I had to engage him while he waited for my brother. Just within a few minutes of leaving his presence, he had slept off on the couch. He slept so deeply that I was touched. I learned that rest is a gift.
Friend, rest is a gift. Rest is not a function of the bed you lie in or the couch you sit. Rest is God’s gift to His people (Hebrews 4:9-10). Money can buy a mattress but money cannot buy sleep. Money can build you a house, but money cannot give you a home. Rest is a gift.
God demonstrated rest at creation. God rested on the seventh day, not because He was tired but because He wanted to communicate something to us (Genesis 2:2-3). The day that God apportioned for rest was supposed to be our first day of the week. God wants us to begin life from the place of rest.
God’s greatest blessings are enjoyed from the place of rest (Psalms 127:1-2). Adam did not get Eve by doing “window shopping.” He got Eve by resting. God put Adam to rest (Genesis 2:18, 21). Some of us are too active to be blessed. This is why Jesus promised us rest from labours (Matthew 11:28-30). Rest is a gift.
God gives His beloved while they sleep (Psalms 127:2). When we rest, we allow God to work. When we don’t rest, we obstruct His work and truncate His plans and programs for our lives (Jeremiah 10:23). If God can get you to rest, He would get you to your destination. The purpose of prayers is to find rest (Philippians 4:6-7).
We must come to that point where we are free from agitations and concerns. We must come to that point of peace. Peace becomes our answer as we pray (Genesis 41:16). It is an unexplainable gift (Philippians 4:7). God always wants to lead us to still waters and restore our souls (Psalms 23:2-3). He wants to point you to your rest and refreshing (Isaiah 28:12). Rest is a gift. Would you rest today?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria