Finding True Rest Through Trust in God

Devotional

Day 1: Rest as a Divine Gift and Command

Rest is not merely a physical necessity but a spiritual discipline commanded by God. Psalm 127 teaches that without God's blessing, our efforts are in vain. True rest comes from trusting in God's provision and sovereignty, recognizing that He is the ultimate provider and protector. This means that rest is not just about ceasing from work but about a posture of trust and dependence on God. When we rest, we acknowledge that God is in control and that our striving alone cannot achieve what we need.

In a culture that often glorifies busyness and productivity, it is countercultural to embrace rest as a divine command. Yet, this is precisely what God calls us to do. By resting, we demonstrate our faith in God's ability to sustain us and provide for our needs. It is an act of worship and trust, reminding us that we are not the masters of our fate but are dependent on God's grace and provision. [29:37]

Psalm 4:8 (ESV): "In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time to rest this week, trusting that God will take care of your needs during that time?

Day 2: The Futility of Anxious Toil

Solomon illustrates the futility of anxious toil through the example of a farmer who works tirelessly without faith. The problem is not hard work but faithless work. Sleep is a divine gift, reminding us that we are not in control and must trust God. Anxious toil never leads to blessing but only to stress and worry. This is a powerful reminder that our efforts, no matter how diligent, are ultimately in vain if they are not accompanied by trust in God's provision.

Anxiety and worry often stem from a misplaced belief that everything depends on us. However, Psalm 127 teaches that it is God who grants success and provides for our needs. By recognizing this, we can release our anxieties and embrace the rest that God offers. This does not mean we should be lazy or neglect our responsibilities, but rather that we should work with a heart of faith, trusting that God will bless our efforts. [36:07]

Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 (ESV): "What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself working anxiously? How can you shift your focus to trust in God's provision instead?

Day 3: Trusting God with Our Families

Solomon uses the blessing of children to illustrate the principle that just as God builds the house and guards the city, He also raises our children. This teaches us to trust God with our families, knowing that He loves and cares for them more than we ever could. Our role is to work hard and trust God with the results. This is particularly relevant in the context of parenting, where the temptation to control and micromanage can be strong.

Trusting God with our families means recognizing that He is ultimately in control and that His plans for our loved ones are good. It involves releasing our fears and anxieties about their future and placing them in God's hands. This does not absolve us of our responsibilities but rather calls us to fulfill them with faith and trust in God's sovereignty. [51:27]

Isaiah 54:13 (ESV): "All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children."

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate trust in God with your family this week? How can you release control and place your loved ones in His care?

Day 4: Gospel Amnesia and Gospel Ignorance

Many Christians suffer from "gospel amnesia," forgetting the gospel and living as if everything depends on them. Others suffer from "gospel ignorance," trying to earn God's favor through their efforts. The solution to both is to trust in Jesus Christ, who has done everything necessary for our salvation and rest. This means embracing the truth of the gospel daily and allowing it to shape our lives and actions.

Gospel amnesia leads to a life of striving and anxiety, while gospel ignorance results in legalism and self-righteousness. Both are detrimental to our spiritual health and well-being. By continually reminding ourselves of the gospel and resting in the finished work of Christ, we can experience true freedom and rest. This involves daily surrender and trust in Jesus, recognizing that our worth and acceptance are found in Him alone. [58:43]

Galatians 3:3 (ESV): "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of the gospel daily? What practices can you incorporate into your routine to keep the truth of the gospel at the forefront of your mind?

Day 5: Finding True Rest in Christ

True rest is found in trusting Christ and believing the gospel. Jesus invites us to a life of faith that rests in God's goodness, kindness, and providence. By trusting in Jesus, we can experience freedom from anxiety and rest in the assurance that God is in control and will provide for all our needs. This is a profound invitation to live a life of peace and rest, grounded in the finished work of Christ.

Finding true rest in Christ means letting go of our burdens and anxieties and placing our trust in Him. It involves a daily decision to rely on His strength and provision rather than our own efforts. This rest is not just physical but encompasses our entire being, bringing peace to our minds, hearts, and souls. By embracing this rest, we can live a life of joy and contentment, knowing that we are secure in Christ. [01:02:03]

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Reflection: What burdens are you carrying today that you need to lay at the feet of Jesus? How can you practically trust Him to provide rest for your soul?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound importance of rest as a spiritual discipline, focusing on Psalm 127. We began by acknowledging the common struggle with sleep deprivation and anxiety in our culture, noting that many of us worry a lot and sleep little. Psalm 127 teaches us that rest is not just a physical necessity but a divine gift and command. Solomon, the wisest man, reminds us that without God's blessing, our efforts are in vain, whether we are building a house, guarding a city, or working in the fields.

We discussed how rest is explained in the first two verses of the Psalm, emphasizing that true rest comes from trusting God. Solomon uses the example of a farmer who toils anxiously, rising early and going to bed late, to illustrate the futility of work without faith. The farmer's problem is not hard work but faithless work, forgetting that God is the ultimate provider. Sleep, therefore, is a gift from God, a reminder that we are not in control and that we must trust Him.

We also examined how rest is applied in the context of family and children. Solomon uses the blessing of children to illustrate the principle that just as God builds the house and guards the city, He also raises our children. This teaches us to trust God with our families, knowing that He loves and cares for them more than we ever could.

Finally, we addressed the issue of "gospel amnesia" and "gospel ignorance." Many of us forget the gospel and live as if everything depends on us, while others may not fully understand the gospel and try to earn God's favor through their efforts. The solution to both is to trust in Jesus Christ, who has done everything necessary for our salvation and rest.

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Key Takeaways

1. Rest as a Divine Gift and Command: Rest is not merely a physical necessity but a spiritual discipline commanded by God. Psalm 127 teaches that without God's blessing, our efforts are in vain. True rest comes from trusting in God's provision and sovereignty, recognizing that He is the ultimate provider and protector. [29:37]
2. The Futility of Anxious Toil: Solomon illustrates the futility of anxious toil through the example of a farmer who works tirelessly without faith. The problem is not hard work but faithless work. Sleep is a divine gift, reminding us that we are not in control and must trust God. Anxious toil never leads to blessing but only to stress and worry. [36:07]
3. Trusting God with Our Families: Solomon uses the blessing of children to illustrate the principle that just as God builds the house and guards the city, He also raises our children. This teaches us to trust God with our families, knowing that He loves and cares for them more than we ever could. Our role is to work hard and trust God with the results. [51:27]
4. Gospel Amnesia and Gospel Ignorance: Many Christians suffer from "gospel amnesia," forgetting the gospel and living as if everything depends on them. Others suffer from "gospel ignorance," trying to earn God's favor through their efforts. The solution to both is to trust in Jesus Christ, who has done everything necessary for our salvation and rest. [58:43]
5. Finding True Rest in Christ: True rest is found in trusting Christ and believing the gospel. Jesus invites us to a life of faith that rests in God's goodness, kindness, and providence. By trusting in Jesus, we can experience freedom from anxiety and rest in the assurance that God is in control and will provide for all our needs. [01:02:03]
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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[25:24] - Church Updates and Announcements
[26:43] - Summer Attendance and Discover Central
[27:59] - Introduction to Psalm 127
[29:37] - Rest Explained
[31:15] - Songs of Ascent and Solomon's Wisdom
[32:46] - The Futility of Work Without God
[34:26] - The Gift and Curse of Work
[36:07] - The Farmer's Anxious Toil
[37:57] - The Problem of Anxious Toil
[39:21] - Being Anxious Never Leads to Blessing
[41:03] - Trusting God with Our Work
[42:32] - How to Rest Well
[45:27] - The Clear Deck Myth
[48:35] - Rest Applied: The Blessing of Children
[51:27] - Trusting God with Our Families
[53:04] - Trusting God with Our Kids
[54:18] - Rest from Anxiety in All Areas
[55:46] - Trusting God with Every Need
[57:03] - Finding Rest in Christ
[58:43] - Gospel Amnesia and Gospel Ignorance
[62:03] - Jesus: The Way to Real Rest
[63:39] - Invitation to Trust Christ
[65:08] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 127, what is the result of building a house or guarding a city without the Lord's blessing? ([29:37])
How does Solomon describe the farmer's toil in Psalm 127:2, and what is the farmer's main problem? ([36:07])
What does Jesus say about anxiety and God's provision in Matthew 6:25-34? How does He illustrate God's care for His creation? ([43:55])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Solomon emphasize that rest is a gift from God in Psalm 127? How does this perspective change the way we view our daily work and responsibilities? ([31:15])
How does the concept of "anxious toil" in Psalm 127 relate to modern-day workaholism? What are the spiritual implications of working without faith? ([39:21])
In what ways does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:25-34 challenge our common worries about daily needs and future security? How does this passage encourage trust in God's provision? ([43:55])

Application Questions

Reflect on your current work habits. Do you find yourself working anxiously, as if everything depends on you? How can you begin to trust God more with your work and responsibilities? ([39:21])
Think about your family life. Are there areas where you struggle to trust God with your children or loved ones? How can you practically surrender these worries to God this week? ([51:27])
Jesus invites us to a life free from anxiety by trusting in God's provision. What specific steps can you take to reduce anxiety and increase your trust in God’s care for your needs? ([43:55])
The sermon mentioned "gospel amnesia" and "gospel ignorance." Do you find yourself forgetting the gospel and living as if everything depends on you? How can you remind yourself of the gospel daily? ([58:43])
How can you protect your time for rest and ensure it is a regular part of your routine? What changes might you need to make in your schedule to prioritize rest as a spiritual discipline? ([45:27])
Identify one area of your life where you feel most anxious. What specific prayer or scripture can you use to combat this anxiety and remind yourself of God's control and provision? ([54:18])
How can you support others in your small group who may be struggling with anxiety or work-related stress? What practical steps can you take to encourage and pray for one another? ([55:46])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Ordinary Christians trust God and rest well. In the first couple of verses of this psalm, first we see rest explained. Rest is a difficult thing to explain and it's even harder to advocate for. We start talking about rest and needing to rest and needing to take a break and maybe our minds go to, well, that's some form of laziness or maybe we think, yeah, rest is nice but it's optional. What we see in this passage, what we see in Psalm 127 is that rest is not only commanded but rest is a gift." [31:15] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Being anxious never leads to blessing. It leads to stress, it leads to worry, it leads to lack of sleep, but it never leads to blessing. See, if you want the Lord to bless you, if you want the Lord to bless your work, then what we see here is that you have to trust him. See, resting well, what it requires is faith." [39:21] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The good news is that God has never failed to provide for you. God has never failed to give you what you need. Now, this might look different. It might not be exactly what you wanted, but the Lord always provides for his people." [41:03] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus is the way to real rest. See, when it comes to this room today, there's two groups of people. One group, maybe you're dealing with gospel amnesia. You've forgotten the gospel, or you forget the gospel. And so you live as if everything depends on you. And so you work in such a way that doesn't bring glory to God, it doesn't bring honor to God, but instead it puts you in the place of God." [57:03] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The good news of the gospel is that you can't work hard enough. You can't try enough. You can't exert enough effort for God to love you and God to accept you. You can't do it. You can't be good enough. And see, that sounds like bad news. Well, here's the good news. Jesus can. And Jesus has." [01:00:16] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Ordinary Christians trust God and rest well. In the first couple of verses of this psalm, first we see rest explained. Rest is a difficult thing to explain and it's even harder to advocate for. We start talking about rest and needing to rest and needing to take a break and maybe our minds go to, well, that's some form of laziness or maybe we think, yeah, rest is nice but it's optional. What we see in this passage, what we see in Psalm 127 is that rest is not only commanded but rest is a gift." [31:15] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The problem is not that the farmer works hard. Instead, it's that the farmer toils anxiously. In other words, the problem is not that the farmer works hard. The problem is that the farmer works faithlessly. The problem is that the farmer has forgotten God." [36:07] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If we can trust him to build the house and protect the city, then we can trust him with our kids. And I needed this reminder this week because I went to sleep in June and I woke up and it's August. School starts back in the next couple of weeks. And some of us, school starts back and we're sending our kids to a public school. Some of us, we're going to send our kids to a private school and some of us are going to homeschool our kids. And yet all of us need to trust the Lord with our kids." [53:04] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "In every area and in every way, we can experience rest from anxiety and freedom from worry, not because we are so great, but because our God who is good is in control. Because our God who is wiser than we are, he is directing everything. His providence is at work in our lives." [54:18] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If we can trust God with our eternity, then we can trust him with today. If we can trust him with our salvation, then we can trust him with our work. We can trust him with our family. We can trust him with our health. We can trust him with our finances. We can trust him with our career. We can trust him with our marriage. We can trust him with our relationships. We can trust him with every need that we have." [58:43] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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