[2020 Vision] The Home: Sabbath Muestra

Rest and Know God

What does Ezekiel 20:20 say? It promises the Sabbath will be a sign between the people and God, so that they might know that He is the Lord their God. Rest is a route for knowing God. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am the Lord Your God.” The way we get to know God is by slowing down. 

Our connection with God is not based on speed but on stillness. We have so much speed in our lives. We are on the go seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Instead of having a restful heart, we have a frazzled heart. But frazzled hearts don’t know the Lord well. They may be productive, and volunteer for many things, but they do not know the Lord well. A still heart before God: that’s what makes a difference. 

Pastor and author John Ortberg put it like this, “Hurry is not a disordered schedule; hurry is a disordered heart.” If you say, “Well, I don't have time,” that's a heart issue, not a schedule issue. I am the chief of sinners on packing the schedule. I don’t have it all together. I'm telling myself, “Doctor, heal yourself.” I understand. But I also know that I'm a better dad when my heart is calm. I am a better husband, a stronger believer, a better listener, more prepared, and better able to minister when my heart is rested. Most importantly, I get to know God better when I truly rest in Him.

Author and social critic Os Guinness, in his book The Call, said that “The modern world has scrambled things so badly that today we worship our work, we work at our play, and we play at our worship.” We have got to realize that knowing God requires a rested heart with Him. You have got to make time for God, or in the end there will be no room for Him. Are you so busy doing things for God, that you are not praying and spending time with Him? 

Think how often you have told yourself, “I'm going to spend time with God every day. I'm going to make it happen. I am going to read the Bible every day, pray, and be with the Lord.” This year, make your words a reality. Include rest in your resolve. Rest is a route for knowing God.