“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox and its attached to a piece of equipment that the ox pulls.  A person may be carrying heavy burdens of sin, excessive demands from other people, oppression or persecution, or weariness in the search for God.  Jesus frees people from all of these burdens.  The rest that Jesus promises is love, healing, and peace with God.

By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. – Genesis 2:2-3

I include this verse in this episode to put the importance of rest in its proper perspective.  God, who created the world, stopped and rested on the seventh day.  God, who never gets tired or sleepy, decided not to work on the Sabbath day and to rest and reflect on all that he made.  You too need to step back from everything that you are doing and rest and reflect on all that you have done through the past week.   

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 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. – Exodus 20:8-10

In addition to not working on the Sabbath day, we are also to dedicate the Sabbath day to worship God.  Looking back at all that he has provided for you in the past week and worship him for what He was able to accomplish through you.

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.  – Mark 6:30-32

This was after Jesus fed the 5000.  Doing God’s work is important, but Jesus recognized that to do it effectively we need periodic rest and renewal.  Keep this in mind as you serve in your various ministries.

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” – Mark 2:27-28

God created the Sabbath for us. We are restored both physically and spiritually when we take time to rest and to focus on God. 

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. – Psalms 4:8

This is a verse that you can pray over yourself as you sleep or try to get some rest.  Be lead by the Holy Spirit as God gives you sweet rest and leads you to dwell in safety.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. – Isaiah 26:3

We can never avoid strive in the world around us, but with God we can know perfect peace even in turmoil. When we are devoted to him, our whole attitude is steady and stable.  Supported By Gods unchanging love and mighty power. If you want peace, keep your mind focused on God.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  – Psalms 23:1-3

When we allow God to guide us, we have contentment. Our Sheppard knows the “green pastures” and “quite waters” that will restore us.  We will reach these places only by following him.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

Gods peace is different from the worlds peace.  True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control of it all. Let Gods peace guide you in victory over anxiety.