7 Biblical Truths about Work and Rest to Reflect on This Labor Day
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Labor Day is the first Monday of September, and it is a day to celebrate the hard work of every worker in the United States. Labor Day symbolizes prosperity, strength, and well-being. It is also known as the official end of summer. On Labor Day, many families have cookouts and take a rest from their toilsome labor. Work can be taxing at times, which is why we need to take time to take a break.
God didn’t create us to be robots who are always productive. We should work and be fruitful; however, we don’t have to be working day in and day out. We need rest, and we can find this rest at the feet of Jesus. He will give us the rest and peace our hearts truly need. While it can be common to drown ourselves in work when overwhelmed, it is better to turn to God’s Word and pray to Him.
Below are seven biblical truths about work and rest to reflect on this Labor Day. Thinking over these passages will help us experience inner peace. Although we live in a fast-paced society, we need to slow down and take time to rest. We can achieve a healthy balance between work and rest, as both are needed, good, and productive.
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1. God Rested (Genesis 2:2)
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work” (Genesis 2:2).
God rested after He created the world, the planets, and everything in them. This rest was not due to physical tiredness; instead, God rested because He wanted to admire His majestic work. He made everything perfect and was well pleased with it (Genesis 1:1-2:2). God also rested on the seventh day to leave us an example. If we follow this example, we would work and take time to rest.
God didn’t create us to be nonstop workers. Even though our employers might demand this of us, it is not what God has in mind. There needs to be a healthy balance between work and rest. We don’t need to work too much, nor do we need to rest too much. It would be best for us to follow God’s example in Genesis 2:2 and rest after our work.
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2. You Are Working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23).
The Apostle Paul teaches us here that we work for the Lord, not human masters. Although we are employed by a human, we are actually working for the Lord. Anything we put our hand to, we should work at it with our entire heart. This means that we are not slack in our work, nor do we try to get away with doing as little work as possible. Each day we enter the workforce, we need to do our best and know we are working for the Lord.
Regardless of your job, you are still working for Jesus. You don’t have to be a pastor, a Christian school teacher, or a missionary to work for the Lord and to serve Him. In the job you have right now, you can work for the Lord and serve Him by doing your job correctly, showing up on time, and doing your best. It pleases God to see us doing well and working productively. We are lights to this dark world, and we need to ensure we are shining the light of Jesus to all people, not the darkness of idleness (Mathew 5:14-16).
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3. God Establishes the Work of Our Hands (Psalm 90:17)
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands” (Psalm 90:17).
Within this psalm, we see the words of Moses. Psalm 90 is the only psalm written by Moses. An aspect of this psalm is shown above, where Moses asks the Lord to establish the work of Israel’s hands. Moses knew that God was the giver of all good things, and it was because of Him that they could work. God will establish the work of our hands, too, if we turn to Him.
If we look carefully at this passage of Psalm 90:17, we also see that Moses asked the favor of the Lord to rest on Israel. This is something we also need to petition for. Having the favor of Jesus to rest on us is the greatest blessing. Not only will it help us to feel calm, but it will also help us to be motivated to do our work wholeheartedly. During this Labor Day, reflect upon what Psalm 90:17 means to you and how you can best apply it going forward.
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4. Do Something Useful with Your Hands (Ephesians 4:28)
“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need” (Ephesians 4:28).
Ephesians 4:28 is a biblical truth that does not need to be overlooked when it comes to work. Even if someone has a past of not doing their work right or stealing to get by, they can still repent and change. The Apostle Paul instructs us to do something useful with our hands so that we have something to share with others. We don’t need to use our hands to steal, but rather to work and do something productive.
Working provides us with enough money to provide for ourselves and help others. If we don’t work or rely on stealing for our income, we will never have a steady income. However, if we work daily as a good company, we will have enough for our daily needs and also have enough to help others out. Being able to do this is a great blessing and gift from God.
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5. Rest Is Found in Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30)
“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” (Matthew 11:28-30).
On Labor Day, we need to reflect upon work, but we also need to reflect upon rest. In Matthew 11:28-30, we see the Lord telling us to come to Him for rest. When we are weak and burdened, we will find rest for our souls in Jesus. We are to take up His yoke and learn from Him, as He is gentle and humble in heart. Because of Jesus, we will find rest for our souls.
If you are weary and burdened, turn to the Lord. He is always there for you, and He will give you rest. At the end of a long work day, take time to sit at His feet. Go to Him in prayer and study His Word. His rest, comfort, and love will surround you. God will truly cover you with His peace.
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6. God Will Give You Rest (Exodus 33:14)
“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest’” (Exodus 33:14).
These words were spoken to Israel, yet they still apply to us today. While some scholars are picky about exact translations, there is no reason to believe that Jesus’s presence will not accompany us. In fact, God permanently indwells us, as the Holy Spirit is God (1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:9). He comes to live inside of us at the moment of salvation, and He will be with us forever. Therefore, the Lord will be with us and He will give us rest.
The Lord gave rest to Israel, and He will also give us rest. Every day when you return to work, remind yourself of the importance of rest. God wants us to rest to recharge and regather. There is no shame in resting when needed. Refraining from resting will cause us to be burned out, and we won’t be very productive in our work, which is why we need to accept God’s rest and walk in accordance with it.
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7. There Is a Future Rest for God’s People (Hebrews 4:9-10)
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his” (Hebrews 4:9-10).
A final biblical truth about work and rest to reflect on this Labor Day is to know that there is a future rest for God’s people. This is known as a “Sabbath-rest” as told to us in Hebrews 4:9-10. Anyone who enters God’s rest will also rest from their own work, just as God rested from His work (Genesis 2:2). This rest will be realized in the future, and it will be perfect.
While some scholars think Hebrews 4:9-10 is referring to Heaven, it is most likely referring to the New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21). The New Heaven and New Earth will be our eternal home. There will only be peace, love, and unity. Once we enter this rest, we will never leave. We will no longer have to be burdened with the worries of the world, fears, or sin. We will finally be at peace, and we will be full of happiness.
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