January 2nd | Genesis 2

Genesis 2:3, “So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.”

      There is something incredible about the statement, “God rested.” If I were to tell you that I rested after I worked, you might picture me sitting in a recliner with my feet up, exhausted from a full day of work. I might be falling asleep as I watch TV, barely able to keep my eyes open because I am tired. It is not incredible to say that one of us “rested” after work but it is remarkable that “God rested.”

Why did God rest? 

       Was God tired or exhausted? Did he need to catch a few hours of rest before starting up his work again? No, God did not rest because he was tired but He rested because the work was completed. Genesis 2:2 says, “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.” God set out to create the world and here by the 2nd chapter of the Bible we see that our God finishes what He starts. By completing creation he rests. There is nothing more to do so He can declare it holy and good. He won’t have to come back and tinker or burn the midnight oil tomorrow night. He can rest because it is finished. 

God rests to show us we can rest in Him

       Too often I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. Oftentimes my exhaustion comes not from being physically tired but emotionally spent. I find myself anxious about the future, worried about my children and family, or stressed about all I need to accomplish. Many of us go through life at breakneck speed trying to juggle work deadlines with soccer schedules and more times than not, something falls through the cracks and we find ourselves in a cycle of stress, failure, and worry. 

       God’s action here shows us that we can rest in Him. The world will keep spinning if we pause for a moment. I love Psalm 127 which states, “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.” God wants you to take a nap! He wants you to be able to lay your head down at night and realize that He is in control and not you. Your future is in the hands of the creator of the universe so you can rest. 

We can rest because God’s work is finished

       Genesis 2:1 says, “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished.” God declared the work was finished. And this should point us to another time when God declared His work was finished. John 19:30 says, “30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” The work of salvation is finished. Jesus died once and for all for your sins. If you would trust in Him you could REST today. 

       No matter what stressors or anxieties come your way today, rest in the fact that Christ loves you, has died for you, and has finished the work of your salvation.