COVENANTS OF REST AND REFRESHING

“…This is the REST with which You may cause the weary to rest,” and, “This is the REFRESHING…” – Isaiah 28:12

God is committed to the COVENANTS of REST and REFRESHING: “To whom He said, “This is the REST with which You may cause the weary to rest,” and, “This is the REFRESHING”; Yet they would not hear (Isa.28:12). Rest is not strange to God. God designed, instituted, and even Himself practiced rest: “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done” (Gen.2:2). Later, He instituted Sabbath Rest for Israel – not only as a command, but also a sign displaying His covenant relationship with Israel (Exod. 31:12-18).

In the New Covenant, we see rest in the Gospel light, relative to Christ’s finished work on the cross. There are at least three ways in which believers can and should rest.

First, we can enjoy the Rest of Faith in Christ: “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering HIS REST, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it…For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world” (Heb.4:1,3). This Rest can be our portion even in this fallen world that’s in dire need of redemption. The world cannot purge itself of its darkness and chaos. Humanity cannot dig their way out of sin into some type of utopia. The good news is that Christ has done all. Through Him, God reconciled with us, and through His death on the cross, made restitution for humanity’s sin.

Second, we can rest in Worship. On the seventh day, God rested in His work, admiring the great work He did. On the seventh day, Israel was to take the day to observe, meditate, and worship God – for who He was, what He had done, His provisions, and the covenant relationship they enjoyed with Him. Life’s boisterous activities paused, so that they could attune their lives to the One who gave them life. Even in times of national and global crisis, when many churches are moving worship gatherings ‘online,’ we must not forsake resting in worship regularly and in daily personal devotion: times set aside to exclusively worship God, pray, and meditate in His Word – to recalibrate our minds and souls to rest in Him!

Third, we can rest in God’s Sovereignty and Providence, no matter what happens in life: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom.8:28). Moreover, there is an eternal rest that follows life on this side. Resting in this truth of a living hope should comfort and enable us to stand in faith as God works His redemptive plan of restoring His creation to a state of Shalom. We can rest in the future vision with present mission. We can rest when many are restless, and bring flourishing to a world that’s frantic.

The Covenants of REST and REFRESHING are perfected in Christ: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt.11:28-29). Christ, my Shepherd, is the Giver of True Rest and Refreshing: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters” (Psa.23:2). Sheep will not drink from running or rushing water; so the shepherd dams the rushing stream to provide a serene and tranquil pool for me to drink safely, amidst the world’s harsh and dry wilderness (Isa.26:3). Trusting in Him, I shall never lack REST of mind and life. He provides Rest and Nourishment when I’m tired, weary, hungry or thirsty. He gives me Victory over anxieties, worries, perplexities, and satanic restlessness.

Christ satiates our thirst for Rest and Refreshment to overcome stress in this tough and turbulent world (Ps.46:10).