Rest, spiritual

The human desire for spiritual rest

Lamentations 5:19–22 LEB

19 You, O Yahweh, will sit forever on your throne for generation to generation. 20 Why have you forgotten us forever? Why have you forsaken us for so long? 21 Restore us to you, O Yahweh, that we will be restored; renew our days as of old. 22 Unless you have utterly rejected us, unless you are angry with us beyond measure.

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 LEB

28 Come to me, all of you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to carry and my burden 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 LEB

9 Consequently a sabbath rest remains for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered into his rest has also himself rested from his works, just as God did from his own works. 11 Therefore, let us make every effort to enter into that rest, in order that no one may fall in the same pattern of disobedience.

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 LEB

4 Not so the wicked. Instead, they are like the chaff that the wind scatters. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

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