Day 250 - Rest Your Body

Emily Green

“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep.” - Psalm 127:2 ESV

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day He rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.” - Exodus 20:8-11 NLT

Sleep is a gift from God. Psalm 127:2 says that God “gives” His beloved sleep. In the world we live in today, working hard and never resting is often a sign of strength; however, God knows that we are human, and there’s only so much “strength” we have. Without rest, we will never be able to reach our full potential.

I added this section on sleep because rest is essential to increasing physical health. Sometimes, sleep is a test of trust, believing God is still working even if you’re resting.

In addition to sleep, another way to rest your body is by taking a Sabbath every week, meaning you cease to produce for one day. I want to remind you that honoring the Sabbath was important enough to make God’s top 10. That’s right. Honoring the Sabbath is on the same list as “Thou shall have no other gods before me” and “Thou shall not murder.” Sabbathing is clearly important to God, and therefore, it should be important to us. The Sabbath is more than just physical rest, but for the sake of this conversation, we will see it as a way to further achieve rest for our bodies.

All of that to say, rest is important. Sleeping, Sabbathing, and rejuvenating are essential to a healthy life!

Next Steps

  • Think about it: Do I get enough sleep? Why or why not?

  • Think about it: When was the last time I took a Sabbath?

  • Action Step: Studies show that most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep every night (CDC, 2016). Move your schedule around to accommodate at least 7 hours of sleep tonight.