River of Rest

Psalm 46 NIV

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

John 15:4–5 NIV

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

INTRODUCTION

Did you all hear about the guy who was a watch collector, and he had so many watches that he decided to string them all together to make a belt?

It was a waist of time.

Not only is that phrase the punch line of an incredibly corny joke; it is also a phrase I fear so many people use to describe the concept of rest.

Did you ever hear someone say:

There isn’t enough time in the day to rest.

Resting doesn’t pay the bills.

I’ll get all the rest or sleep I need when I’m dead.

Resting is just a waste of time. (P)

Maybe you’re one who, when you finally get a couple of free moments in your hectic week to sit down to watch a movie or read a book, it isn’t long before feelings of guilt creep in because you feel like you should be doing something.

And I’m just talking about a few moments - maybe you feel like you’ve committed the world’s biggest sin if, God forbid, you took an entire day off. (P)

Well, incidentally, and quite the contrary, God did not forbid it. If anything, it’s the attitudes that make us feel guilty for resting that he forbade. It’s refusing to take time for rest that would upset Him.

It’s the very pattern He created in work. God spent six days working to bring our universe into existence, and then, according to Genesis 2: [CLICK]

Genesis 2:2–3 NIV

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. [CLICK] Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

In fact, that day of rest is so holy that, of all the commandments the Bible contains, rest made its way onto the top ten.

Commandment number 4 in: [CLICK]

Exodus 20:8–11 NIV

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. [CLICK] Six days you shall labor and do all your work, [CLICK] but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. [CLICK] For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

(P)

Last week, we talked about work, and how important that is. We talked about how it has that obvious, earthly purpose of earning us money for life, but it also has dignity, in that it is God’s work, serving Him and His people. It is unique - in our dignity, He gave us special gifts and abilities to fulfil specific tasks.

But we also closed by beginning to talk about the balance of work. Not only does that mean we shouldn’t turn our work into an idol, becoming a workaholic and neglecting our families, friends, and, above all, God...but we also said we just flat-out need to know when to stop, and when to take a break.

We need to know when to rest. (P)

The fact is, rest is a component of work that is just as important as work itself, because without proper rest, it won’t be long until you aren’t even as effective in your work as you could and should be, because you’re so worn out.

That is implied right in the definition of rest:

REST = The practice of ceasing work or activity to relax and restore one’s energy.

Rest brings us back to the physical and mental position we need to be in to begin the next round of work, and the spiritual implications go deep, as well.

Just like we did with work last week, we will start with the baseline, earthly, superficial-seeming purpose of rest, but we will close by taking it even farther as we see the benefits it even has on our relationship with God. (P)

Altogether, there are five benefits I want to submit to you this morning, progressive in nature - you kind of have to get to where you are willing to do the first before you can benefit from the second, then the third, and so on.

So let’s take a look at them and see if we can’t convince you of the importance of rest.

First, rest is: [CLICK]

1. A Time for Respite

Respite is when you can get a temporary break or some relief from an ongoing burden. Those of you who have loved ones who have or had been in respite care know how valuable it was when those normally in charge of that person’s care were able to get an occasional, but much-needed break.

That’s where I think we hear that word the most, but respite could literally cover any situation where we are getting that temporary moment of relief. (P)

The Psalmist here in chapter 46 calls the Lord his refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

He didn’t say that God is there at the end of trouble or when trouble is over; he says God is that source of refuge and respite in the midst of life’s challenges, and I believe that includes our labor and work, especially in its difficult moments. We will have to get back to it eventually, but there is that place of rest in the meantime. (P)

We will close by talking about the permanent rest the believer can look forward to one day, but right now we’re just talking about the ebb and flow of life where we have moments of stress, and difficulty, and labor, but there are moments of rest that we really need to take before we get back to that stress and labor. (P)

Going back to the pattern God created, we see in verses 12-18 of Exodus 31 the instruction God provided for the Sabbath - the entire day that was to be devoted to rest at the end of the work week.

God says in verse 15: [CLICK]

Exodus 31:15 NIV

For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. And in that day, the consequences were severe: Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death.

That’s how serious God was about Sabbath rest.

The earthly consequences might not be as dire today - you won’t have a state trooper at your door hauling you off to prison and death row for working on Saturday or Sunday- but as we will see, the benefits we get from rest were designed by God and are no less important today. He’s not happy when we don’t follow this command.

Verse 17: [CLICK]

Exodus 31:17 NIV

It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’ ”

(P)

You know, it’s always interesting when science can give us a tangible reason for the commands God already said were important.

In most cases, we associate work with noise. We hear people talking, machines roaring, keyboards clicking, phones ringing, hospital equipment beeping and chirping, kids screaming, and all kinds of other noise associated with our work. Even in a quiet setting, the silent noise of our ongoing thoughts and stresses can be deafening.

We need a break from it.

And science backs it up. An anonymous author discusses those findings.

He or she says:

Noise affects human behavior. In one experiment carried out by psychologists, a student leaving a library intentionally dropped an armload of books. In 50% of the cases, a passerby stopped to help the student pick up the books. Then the experimenters brought out a lawn mower without a muffler and started it near where that student would again intentionally drop the books. This time, only about 10% of the people who passed stopped to help. It was clear that behavior changed because of the ear-splitting sound of the nearby lawn mower.

In experiments in Los Angeles, researchers found that children who lived in neighborhoods near the airport could not complete certain tasks undertaken when jets were landing and taking off as easily as children who lived in quiet neighborhoods. Some studies of prison conditions have shown that the high levels of noise cause more complaints by prisoners than the food or other prison conditions do. (P)

When you put in a week of work, even if you love your job, and you get to Friday, it’s good to know that you will get a day or two of respite from that daily and weekly grind. It gives you a moment to let your body and mind do something else, which is the only way these other four benefits of rest can be had.

It’s the only way we find: [CLICK]

2. A Time for Relaxation

Relaxation is another important component of rest that many people are not very good at.

Most people will take a respite from their jobs, because they all but have to. They won’t, and in some cases, can’t go into work if they aren’t scheduled. So they are happy not to go into work on Saturday, or whatever their day off is, but they end up finding umpteen different other things to do around the house...which need to be done, too, don’t get me wrong.

But before they know it, Saturday is over, and they’re halfway into Sunday, and they go back to work on Monday (or whatever their schedule is), and they still haven’t taken a day, or even a moment, to just stop and relax.

NOT GOOD...

And more efforts are being made than ever before, again because of what science shows, to help people understand the importance of relaxing.

People can get massages now and, in some cases, insurance companies will cover them if ordered by a doctor, and you can use a Health Savings Account for them.

People practice deep breathing.

Some practice meditation.

And every athlete is taught to stretch before a workout or game.

And that is because stretching relaxes the tense muscles and makes them more limber and ready to undergo the motion that some of those upcoming activities will put them through.

Without a good stretch, the risk of injury jumps through the roof. (P)

Christians need to do the same thing - for their bodies, their minds, and their souls.

Taking that respite from our normal responsibilities and using that time to relax helps us to prepare for the third benefit and step of rest, introduced to us by the ever-famous 23rd Psalm: [CLICK]

Psalm 23:1–3 NIV

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. [CLICK] He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, [CLICK] He refreshes my soul.

...some translations say He restores my soul.

And that’s a huge benefit, and frankly, the main point of rest, at least from an earthly perspective - it is: [CLICK]

3. A Time for Restoration

Jesus reminds us to: [CLICK]

Matthew 11:28–29 NIV

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [CLICK] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

[CLICK]

That’s the same Good Shepherd who promised soul restoration in Psalm 23 - He promises rest, restoration, and refreshment for our souls. (P)

But again, it’s up to us to accept that offer. And it’s hard for us to do that until we understand the value and importance of rest.

And it doesn’t matter if you call it refreshment, restoration, rejuvenation - all of these words accurately describe an important recharging (there’s another good word) process that our bodies, minds, and souls must go through. (P)

We are human beings with limitations and finite amounts of energy in our batteries, and if you don’t recharge them, it will not take long for that to catch up with you.

One man challenged another to an all-day wood-chopping contest. The challenger worked very hard, stopping only for a brief lunch break. The other man had a leisurely lunch and took several breaks during the day. At the end of the day, the challenger was surprised and annoyed to find that the other fellow had chopped substantially more wood than he had.

"I don't get it," he said. "Every time I checked, you were taking a rest, yet you chopped more wood than I did."

"But you didn't notice," said the winning woodsman, "that I was sharpening my ax when I sat down to rest." (P)

I don’t care how big and bad and strong and invincible you think you are; I can promise you that if you don’t find respite from your routine, take time to relax, rejuvenate yourself, and take time to sharpen your physical, mental, and spiritual ax, the value you are to that work you think is so important will tank very quickly.

We must make that a priority, and we must seek God’s help. He promises through the prophet Isaiah in the 40th chapter that: [CLICK]

Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

(P)

Now some of you are saying, Pastor Eric, I have been wanting that rest - I go to Jesus, as Matthew 11 directed me, and I don’t feel refreshed.

I know that frustration because I, even recently, used to complain about the same thing.

And what God had to challenge me with is this question:

Are you really coming to me? Are you really going to Jesus?

In other words:

Are you really being intentional about finding that time of rest? It’s not just going to fall into your schedule magically.

What are you willing to sacrifice to make that happen?

What is getting in the way - what excuse are you making for not taking the time you need? AND...

Are you truly hoping to use that time, when you get it, to go to God? Or just your easy chair?

How do you intend to use that time of rest? (P)

That brings us to number 4.

Rest is: [CLICK]

4. A Time for Reflection

It is spoken very clearly and well in verse 10 of this 46th Psalm: [CLICK]

Psalm 46:10 NIV

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

We can’t exalt Him if we’re working too hard to even acknowledge Him.

Be still - how often do we really do that, and when we do, what are we doing in those moments?

We talked last week about honoring God in our work, but can we honor Him in our rest, too? (P)

Isaiah 58:13 says: [CLICK]

Isaiah 58:13–14 NIV

“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, [CLICK] then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

[CLICK]

Every single human being on the face of this planet needs rest, no exceptions.

The non-believer will stop at number 3, at the relaxing and restoration; they won’t let God be a part of their rest, and there will be a tremendous difference in outcome.

We must rest, and yes, it’s nice to have those moments where we can plop in our easy chair and binge-watch our favorite television program, or engage in whatever hobby we enjoy, and that’s okay! I don’t want anyone going home and saying that their pastor said they’re not allowed to watch TV and do anything fun when they’re resting.

Those who have seen my board game shelf know I am in big trouble if that were the case. (P)

But is every moment I have off and can rest meant to be spent in those places, or do we give some to God?

Blog writer Shemaiah Gonzales paints a funny picture of how she looks at the end of her work week.

Most Friday nights, she says, you will find me sitting in the chair by my front door with house keys still in hand, one shoe off, snoring with my mouth wide open. I’ll only wake up when I hear either my sons laughing at the sight of me, having fallen asleep sitting up, or them nudging me with a “Mom, I’m hungry.” The week is so harried and hurried that I look forward to the weekend, only to remember Saturday morning that I don’t get to sleep in. There are swim lessons, a violin recital, and a birthday party.

She then talks about her times of reflection, and the reminder that no schedule is too big for God, who developed the pattern of work and rest knowing that our schedules would be this way. The Sabbath calls us to be creative and intentional and to tell the rest of the world too bad when it calls us to press on, because God’s commands are bigger than the world’s demands.

So she shares this solution:

Poet Wendell Berry says the Sabbath “asks us to notice that while we rest, the world continues on without our help. It invites us to delight in the world’s beauty and abundance.”

She says: I’m beginning to notice this in my own Sabbath practice. It’s humbling (and a little obvious) to realize the world doesn’t need me to rush around at a frantic pace. No one calls to see if all my laundry is clean. No one emails to see if my work is done. And in my newfound state of rest, I realize I’ve been watching a robin hobble around the yard for half an hour, bringing worms back to its nest...and that I laugh each time my son does as he reads his book, even when I don’t know what’s so funny. I really do need to slow down enough to let God restore my soul, so I’m better prepared to face the week ahead. (P)

It’s not until we take Sabbath seriously, whatever day we take it, not until we make rest a priority - not until we take that respite in our busy week - that we can find time to relax. It’s not until we relax that we can recharge our batteries and restore ourselves. It’s not until we take this rest time that we can reflect on God’s next steps and tasks for our life’s work, and above all, it’s not until we take that time to be still and know God that we can realize that the most important part of rest is that it is: [CLICK]

5. A Time for Relationship

And yes, we can talk about relationship with others - family, friends, your brothers and sisters in Christ here in the church- all of which are important. But above all, it’s in Christ Jesus that we abide and remain, even and especially in our times of rest.

We are called to do that in our work, too, but as you relate with Shemaiah in what she shared, as you reflect on your own chaotic week, you know that quality time with God is very tricky. So it should be the thing we desire most when we get to that place of rest. (P)

Jesus told His disciples as they were about to begin their chaotic life of ministry: [CLICK]

John 15:4–5 NIV

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. [CLICK] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

[CLICK]

The only reason we can bear fruit is because we get our nourishment, refreshment, and everything else we need from Him.

How important is that time with Jesus to you?

Is it as important as the time you want to spend with family and friends?

Perhaps you look forward to your lunch dates with friends you barely get to see, and you finally get the mutual day off when you can make that happen, as Jermaine Washington and Michelle Stevens do regularly, according to the publication, Today in the Word.

And what’s interesting is what drives their relationship:

Three times a month, Jermaine and Michelle get together for what they call a "gratitude lunch." With good reason! Washington donated a kidney to Stevens. They met at work, where they used to have lunch together. One day Michelle wept as she spoke about waiting on a kidney donor list for 11 months. She was being sustained by kidney dialysis, but suffered chronic fatigue and blackouts and was plagued by joint pain.

Because Washington couldn't stand the thought of watching his friend die, he gave her one of his kidneys. When you've got something great to be thankful for, the author says, having a "gratitude lunch" is a great way to celebrate. (P)

Jesus didn’t just give a kidney, which is an incredible sacrifice; He gave His life, and He did that for you!

How could we not want a regularly scheduled gratitude lunch date with a friend like that? (P)

CONCLUSION

As we close, I want us to leave here thinking about rivers, specifically those mentioned in Scripture that offer perfect refreshment.

Psalm 23 tells us of the quiet, refreshing waters our Good Shepherd provides.

Psalm 46 tells of a river that glorifies and points to the city of God, where our ultimate source of rest is found.

And my challenge for this week, not in your notes because I ran out of room, is to study Ezekiel 47:1-12. Think about the miracle of the Dead Sea, one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, becoming refreshed with water coming from the temple of God, so that land and creatures near that sea, once on the brink of death, are now given everything needed to survive and thrive.

It is time for us to come to the River of rest, and to be refreshed and restored by it. (P)

Everyone needs time to get away from the grind, to relax and recharge our batteries. But as hard as it can be to get people to do that, it’s even harder to get people to reflect on and build their relationship with the one who gives true rest - the one who:

Is our refuge and strength...

Is our mighty fortress...

Is the Good Shepherd who restores our soul...

Who gives us the nourishment we need so we are ready to go for our next round of work...

And who gave His life-saving blood so we are ready for the eternal rest Hebrews 4 talks about.

The writer of Hebrews again refers to the pattern of work God started, and reminds us in verse 4 that on the seventh day God rested from all His work.

Then he talks about those who will enter His rest and those who will not, now talking about that eternal rest in Heaven. And of course we know that the difference is found in the blood of Jesus. Only those who believe in Him and build that relationship with Him, best done in our earthly rest, will get to experience that heavenly eternal rest. (P)

It will be a glorious day, a day when the promise of the opening part of Psalm 23 of still waters and restoration of our souls in our earthly life turns into the promise we find at the end of Psalm 23: [CLICK]

Psalm 23:5–6 NIV

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. [CLICK] Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (P)

That’s the hope of the future, which Paul encourages us to keep our eyes on.

But we don’t live there yet, so in the meantime, we continue the pattern of working for the Lord, as we talked about last week, with your whole heart.

And then we rest, also in Him. Find that respite from your work, relax, rejuvenate, but also reflect on and maintain that relationship with your Savior, who is preparing that eternal resting place for you.

Watch your shows, engage in your hobbies, but give plenty of time to God; be still, and reflect always on who He is, and what He has done for you.