“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. You shall labor six days, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God.”
In a world that glorifies busyness, rest is an act of defiance. Society says that action is evidence of progress and productivity is a goal to reach for. But God has a different plan.
The Sabbath command was—and still is—a reminder that we are not defined by what we accomplish. We are defined by how we relate to God. Relationship is more meaningful than action.
When God gave this command to Israel, they had just been freed from slavery in Egypt where rest was impossible. Sabbath was a radical declaration: We are no longer slaves. We belong to a God who provides.
Rest says, “I trust God to hold the world together without me.” It’s not an excuse for laziness—it’s a rhythm of renewal that keeps your soul aligned with His purposes.
If you ignore rest, you eventually run dry. But when you receive it as a gift, you discover that stopping is not wasted time—it’s sacred space for joy, gratitude, and connection.
Centering Prayer
Lord…
Teach me to rest in You.
Help me resist the lie that my worth is measured by what I produce.
Let my rest bring glory to You. Amen.
Practice for Today
Set aside intentional time today—even if it’s just an hour—to rest without guilt. Use it to enjoy God’s presence and your blessings.
Journaling Prompt
How do I usually feel about taking time to rest?
What could change if I began to see rest as an act of worship?
Closing Blessing
Stop.
Breathe…
Release your grip on the world for a moment and trust the One who holds it.
The world expects action.
Don’t give in.
Rest in His care—and let your stillness speak of His sufficiency.
Pray as You Go
Breathe In: Hold me close today…
Breath Out: …and I will rest in You.