Rest, spiritual

The human desire for spiritual rest

Lamentations 5:19–22 NLT

But Lord, you remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation. Why do you continue to forget us? Why have you abandoned us for so long? Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had! Or have you utterly rejected us? Are you angry with us still?

See also Ps 55:4–8; La 3:25–26; 1 Ti 2:2

Spiritual rest is to be found in God alone

Matthew 11:28–30 NLT

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

See also Ex 33:14; Ps 23:2; Ps 51:12; Ps 62:1–2; Ps 62:5–8; Ps 91:1–13; Is 26:3–4; Jn 14:27; Ro 5:1; Ga 1:3; Ga 5:22; Col 1:20

God promises his people spiritual rest

Hebrews 4:9–11 NLT

So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

See also Ps 1:3; Ps 37:7; Ps 116:7; Ps 119:165; Ps 125:1; Ps 131:1–3; Pr 29:25; Is 30:15; Is 32:17–18; Is 58:11; Je 6:16; Je 17:7–8; Jn 14:1; Ro 8:6; 1 Pe 3:4

Spiritual rest is not for the wicked

Psalm 1:4–5 NLT

But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly.

See also Ps 112:10; Ec 2:23; Is 48:22; Is 57:20–21

God’s offer of rest rejected by a faithless people

Is 28:12; Je 6:16