Aug 16 – BODILY REST !

“Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest” (Mathew 26:45) [NLT]

The Lord knows that our body needs rest. When our body is afflicted with infirmity, illnesses and diseases, He has healed us, and granted good health by bearing those infirmities upon Himself. The Lord knows how essential it is for you to have good health and rest.

The Lord has granted twenty-four hours in a day, in three blocks of eight hours for us to work, to be with our family and to sleep and rest. But there are some who are always at work, without any rest. They do not have their food in time; and do not take care of their bodily health.

When you look at Lord Jesus, He lovingly tells His disciples to sleep and rest. Only when they are well-rested can they perform their duties the next day, with enthusiasm. For so the Lord gives sleep to His beloved. That is why David said, “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me” (Psalm 3:5). “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

Our body is weak. Apostle Paul calls it as ‘lowly body’ (Philippians 3:21). It is mortal body (Romans 8:11). Even with a small accident, all the bones in the body will be broken. Only if you have a healthy body, will you be able to discharge your responsibilities for your family and for God.

When the children of Israel were under Egyptian bondage for four hundred years, they had cruel taskmasters who forced extremely heavy workload on them. They had to work all the days of the week without any rest. That is why God included the day of solemn rest as one of the commandments for the children of Israel.

Many years ago, a Christian athlete decided to miss the 100 meter race, as it was scheduled on a Sunday. And He being a Christian, was very keen to attend the Sunday Service at the Church, and hence decided not to participate in the race. The whole world called him as a fool. But the Lord looked at his resolve to honour God.

And in the next important race that was held shortly thereafter, the Lord gave him victory. He came first in that race and won the gold medal. For the Lord says, “For those who honour Me I will honour” (1 Samuel 2:30).

Verse for further meditation: “Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings” (Leviticus 23:3).