Rest, spiritual

To be at rest spiritually is to find peace with God through Jesus Christ. This rest is promised to all who put their trust in God and obey him.

The human desire for spiritual rest

Lamentations 5:19–22 See also Psalm 55:4–8; Lamentations 3:25–26; 1 Timothy 2:2

You, O LORD, reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to generation. Why have You forgotten us forever? Why have You forsaken us for so long? Restore us to Yourself, O LORD, so we may return; renew our days as of old, unless You have utterly rejected us and remain angry with us beyond measure.

Spiritual rest is to be found in God alone

Matthew 11:28–30 See also Exodus 33:14; Psalm 23:2, Psalm 51:12, Psalm 62:1–2, Psalm 62:5–8, Psalm 91:1–13; Isaiah 26:3–4; John 14:27; Romans 5:1; Galatians 1:3, Galatians 5:22; Colossians 1:20

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

God promises his people spiritual rest

Hebrews 4:9–11 See also Psalm 1:3, Psalm 37:7, Psalm 116:7, Psalm 119:165, Psalm 125:1, Psalm 131:1–3; Proverbs 29:25; Isaiah 30:15, Isaiah 32:17–18, Isaiah 58:11; Jeremiah 6:16, Jeremiah 17:7–8; John 14:1; Romans 8:6; 1 Peter 3:4

There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.

Spiritual rest is not for the wicked

Psalm 1:4–5 See also Psalm 112:10; Ecclesiastes 2:23; Isaiah 48:22, Isaiah 57:20–21

Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

God's offer of rest rejected by a faithless people

Isaiah 28:12; Jeremiah 6:16

to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen.

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’