Topic: Rest Assured: Why God Wants More for Us Than Sunday Naps– Daily Devotional by Proverbs 31 Ministries  11 SEPTEMBER  2024

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Rest Assured: Why God Wants More for Us Than Sunday Naps

September 11, 2024

“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.” Genesis 2:3 (NIV)

Sometimes I’ve struggled mightily with the “Sunday Scaries” — anxiety about the coming week’s workload. I’ve wondered about a challenge facing my kid, how a certain conversation at work will go, or if that bill will get paid on time.

Growing up, I was taught to stop work on Sunday as the Sabbath day because God rested after creating the world for six days (Exodus 20:8-11). But even when I spent the day relaxing, the Sunday Scaries found me at night. I wondered if I was honoring the Sabbath correctly.

Through Bible study, I discovered my Sunday habits came from a modern reading of this sacred, ancient book. God’s people who lived in Old Testament times understood the command to honor God’s Sabbath differently than we do today. In their culture, rest represented the posture of ruling and reigning. Ancient Israel would have envisioned God seated on His throne, actively taking charge of His newly created world, on the first Sabbath (Psalm 132:14).

When God rested on the seventh day, He wasn’t sitting down like a laborer weary from the workweek. Instead, He was positioned as a King ready to reign. He created for six days and made good things because He is good. Then He sat enthroned over creation, declaring it complete and perfect:

“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” (Genesis 2:3).

Genesis 2:3 isn’t about exhaustion or napping; it communicates that a good and trustworthy God is in control. He’s got this.

The ancient Israelites would say we rest because God sits on His throne and reigns over His creation. Sabbath, then, is about honoring God’s reign. Once a week, our souls specially rest in the acknowledgment that God is in charge. We remember He’s a good Creator who invented the concept of thriving. Our souls lead the charge for rest, insisting on finding peace in God’s trustworthy rule, and then our bodies and minds follow.

For years, I thought Sabbath meant that if I rested, I could handle my week better. I thought, Well, if God needed a break, surely I do too. I was trying to keep the Sabbath by mimicking God. Unfortunately, I was focused on my kingdom and my upcoming week, resting in preparation to run my show.

But if we only focus on ceasing our work, chasing our rules and checking our boxes, our souls will remain exhausted by our worries — and the Sunday Scaries will still have their way.

The gift of Sabbath is found when we reorient ourselves toward God, rededicate our trust in Him, and reflect on His trustworthiness.

Where are you struggling to trust in God’s goodness? Let’s embrace the privilege of honoring His reign. Then we can rest assured that, yes, He’s still got this.

Lord, we see the goodness of Your beautiful creation and know it reflects Your good character. We’re grateful You’re in charge and ruling. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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