Weary for Sabbath

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” (Jeremiah 31:25 NIV)

What do you do when you feel just tired? Tired in your mind, your emotions, even your bones. You’ve been fighting emotional, spiritual, financial, physical, relational and other battles….or you’ve been caring deeply for others and carrying their burdens…..or you’ve been working hard in so many areas of your life…..weariness just seems to be the mortar that holds together the bricks of your life.

Today I invite you to an ancient, God-ordained practice.

Sabbath.

God gave us this gift way back when the Israelites were exiting from slavery in Egypt on the way to the Promised Land. He told them to prepare food ahead, to plan to do nothing, to focus their Sabbath on worship, and to rest. Jewish Sabbath for centuries has been from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday – 24 hours of “down time.” If, like me, you are thinking that finding 24 hours to do nothing is next to impossible, consider mini-Sabbaths. Can you block out an hour daily to just sit still and sit with God? Can you put aside 2-3 hours at a time sometime in the week? The goal is to rest in God, not to feel guilty for not having a 24 hour period of time free. The goal is to rest in God’s goodness and peace.

So, today, hear the loving, gentle invitation of the Good Shepherd.

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me.  I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.  Simply join your life with mine.  Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”   (Matthew 11:28-30 TPT)

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become tired or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who has no might He increases power.” (Isaiah 40:28-29 AMP)

“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance...You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.” (Revelation 2:2-3 NIV)

Shepherd King,

Thank you for walking with us when we carry heavy burdens. Thank you for your invitation to come to you when we are tired and weary, carrying burdens. Help us to come to you, and to allow you to refresh our lives as we join our lives with yours. Help us to learn your ways, your gentleness, your peace and humility. Help us to find time to sit quietly with you – to Sabbath with you – so we can find refreshment and rest in you. Help us to not grow weary as we work hard and persevere, enduring hardships for you, but to remember that you are our Everlasting God, our Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, who gives us strength. Continue to develop a hunger and desire to sit quietly with you, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.