Rest is something we all long for. It’s the balm after a hard day, the refuge after exertion, the deep peace that follows struggle. Whether we find rest in sleep, quiet moments, or the embrace of loved ones, it refreshes our body, mind, and spirit.
We all know the weight of labor—sometimes it’s work we cherish, like caring for family, serving others, or pursuing a calling. Other times, it’s the necessary tasks we’d rather avoid, the challenges that wear us down but that we accept nonetheless.
No matter the nature of our labor—joyful or burdensome—rest remains a precious gift. And as life’s years pass, rest takes on an even deeper meaning: not only the rest we find in daily pauses but a profound, lasting rest.
For those who walk by faith, the hope of an eternal and lasting rest brings profound comfort. Biblical rest goes beyond mere physical relief from labor; it embodies a deeper, spiritual peace. It is a state of quietude, calm repose, and reconciliation with God. At its core, this rest is about placing trust in God’s provision and finding true solace in His presence. In the Book of Revelation, it says:
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord… they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
This rest is more than relief from physical tiredness. It’s a renewal of the soul, a healing of the heart, and a restoration of the spirit. It’s a rest where pain, sorrow, and struggle fade away—where every burden is lifted, and peace flows like a river.
What will this eternal rest look like? Will we still love and think? How will we be transformed?
Each life is a tapestry of love, faith, challenge, and joy. When our earthly journey ends, we enter this eternal rest—a rest that renews and restores fully.
These are questions believers have pondered for centuries. While we may not fully understand, we hold onto the hope that God’s love will carry us through. As the Apostle John reminds us:
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God—and that is what we are!… When He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:1-2)
Rest that lasts. Eternal rest.
I find it interesting that when our lives on this side of eternity conclude, typically, we don’t look at it as a point or place of rest. Loss? Yes! Grief? Yes! Rest? Not so much.
The Apostle Paul offers words of encouragement to early Christians facing physical loss:
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death… For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him… The dead in Christ will rise first… so that we may be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Our deeds, our love, and our faith continue as a lasting legacy. They remind us that the work we do and the love we give do not end with death.
As we reflect on rest today, may we find comfort and hope in His promises. Rest is not simply a pause—it is the gift of peace that awaits all who trust in God’s grace, now and eternally.
Categories: Acts17seventeen Bible Study Christian Christianity Community Follower Of Jesus Prayer
Pastor Mark
Mark, the eighth of nine children born to Reuben and Henrietta Meeks—dedicated church planters with nearly 30 congregations established across California’s Central Valley—is a preacher's kid who grew up immersed in faith and service. With over forty years of experience teaching, discipling, and ministering to communities, including the hospitalized and incarcerated, Mark responded to God's call to pastoral ministry. He holds degrees in civil engineering and public administration, as well as a Master’s in Theology from Fuller Seminary, equipping him to serve with both practical insight and spiritual depth.
acts17seventeen 
Leave a comment