What should I do during times of rest?

Exodus 20:8-11“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. . . . For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.”

Exodus 31:13“Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.’”

Leviticus 19:30“Keep my Sabbath days of rest, and show reverence toward my sanctuary. I am the Lord.”

Leviticus 23:3“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the Lord’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live.”

Deuteronomy 5:12-14“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work.”

Isaiah 58:13“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.”

One day a week should be more wholly dedicated to focusing on God. This is a time of rest when we set aside our regular work, if at all possible, and our own agenda in order to praise, thank, and worship God individually and with other believers. It is a time to stop our normal routines to more fully enjoy the renewal of body, mind, and soul that comes from more time spent with God and his people.

Psalm 4:8In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Psalm 127:2It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

Psalm 145:5I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.

Proverbs 3:24You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.

Ecclesiastes 5:12People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.

Mark 6:31-32Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.

In addition to Sabbath rest, we need times for emotional rest (separation from stress), mental rest (meditation), and physical rest (sleep). This kind of rest brings renewed energy, mental clarity, healing, and peace of mind and heart.