21 Jan W2 | Rest vs Rush

Posted at 15:37h in February, Topics 2025 by

REFERENCE BIBLE VERSES

Psalm 127:1-2 | Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. (ESV)

 

OBJECTIVE

To have faith that our omniscient God has great plans for us and we don’t have to worry and overwork ourselves.

CONTENT

BIBLICAL VS WORLD CULTURE

  • With the help of modern technology, we often see successful young people in social media. Prompting us to be envious or inspired to achieve enormous success as soon as possible. We see hustle culture be promoted everywhere making the norm. Through this world’s view we are taught that if we are not in a position of success it means we are not working hard enough, but God says differently. His plans are beyond ours and He does not want us to work to the point of neglecting our health, relationships and above all Him. He promised us rest and everything else will be taken care of when we work side by side with Him.

THE SERENITY PRAYER

  • God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,
    Courage to change the things which should be changed,
    And the wisdom to distinguish the one with the other. -Reinhold Niebuhr
  • The insistence of rest in Psalm 127:2 does not mean the omission of works, but working motivated by fear of your future is redundant for those beloved by God. When things don’t go our way we feel anxious and try our hardest to pivot it according to our plans. We have to ask God for discernment, learn to let go and rest. Let God take over our problems. Time and time again God have always reminded us of the promise of rest when we follow Him.
  • Matthew 11:28-30 | Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV)

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  • How have your busyness been in a way of your resting in God?
  • What is the fear that keeps you from resting in God?
  • Share one thing that you would Change in order to have more rest in His presence.

REFERENCES