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Daily Activities and Routines

Day 14: Making Him the King over Our Rest
Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30; Psalm 23:2-3; Exodus 20:8-10

In our fast-paced world, rest feels like a luxury rather than a necessity. We pride ourselves on our busy schedules as we fill our schedules with work, responsibilities, and even ministry. We often neglect one of God's most basic commands: rest. The Sabbath was not a suggestion but a command for the recalibration of our hearts and minds, remembering that our strength and provision come from Him, not from our work.

In Exodus, God made the Sabbath one of the 10 commandments, yet despite His explicit instructions, many of us disobey His order to pause. We equate rest with laziness or view recreation as indulgent rather than a gift from God. However, rest is an act of faith, acknowledging God is in control, not us.

Jesus offers us a beautiful invitation in Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." When we put God first, we allow Him to direct our work and rest. His rest is not just physical; it is a deep, soul-refreshing peace that comes from surrendering our worries and schedules to Him.

There are many examples in scripture where God commands us to rest, but King David described it beautifully in Psalm 23, saying that God makes us lie down in green pastures. He leads us there and makes us lie down; it is restorative. Rest and recreation should be more than just a break from work; they should be opportunities to draw closer to God through quiet time, enjoying His creation, or through relationships and activities that bring joy.

When we prioritize God in our rest, we invite Him to refresh us in ways that our efforts never could. We stop striving and start abiding. Whether it is a Sabbath day or a moment of quiet reflection, we should approach rest as a sacred act of trust in God's sovereignty.

The Sabbath is simultaneously a gift and a command. If you don't obey Jesus' commands, is He your Lord? Place Him as King over your life, and you will find His impact on your rest habits. Are you making space for rest or constantly running on empty? Ask God to help you surrender your time, embrace His rhythm of rest, and find true renewal in Him.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for the gift of rest. Help me to trust you enough to pause, to set aside my work, and to embrace the renewal you offer. Teach me to honor the Sabbath, to find joy in the rest you provide, and to let go of the need to control everything. May my rest be an act of faith and worship. It is in the name of Jesus we pray, amen.