(by pastor Norman)

In six days, God completed His work of creating the “heavens and the earth” (Gen 2:1-2; NKJV) and everything in them. God rested on the seventh day and set that day apart for mankind to rest from his labours (Gen 2:3). When God led His people Israel out of slavery in Egypt He promised them perpetual rest in the promised land. The rest was delayed 40 years due to disobedience (Ps 95:10-11). This world around us is a sin-filled environment over which satan has dominion (Luke 4:5-7) and he comes to, “steal, and to kill and to destroy” (John 10:10a; NKJV). However, Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b; NKJV). Now that sounds like rest to me! Jesus through His sacrifice, death and resurrection stripped satan of all power and authority (Cool 2:15) and paid the price for our sins (Col 2:15), so we could receive forgiveness (Coll 1:14). If we believe in Jesus and ask Him to be Lord of our life, to have control, we will be saved or made new in fellowship with God (Rom 10:9-10). In the epistle to the Hebrews, we read that God has a continuous life of rest for His people; we can rest from our labours (Heb 4:9-10) and burdens. Jesus said, “Come to Me all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28-30). Jesus exhorted us to live life according to His Word, for His ways are easy and not burdensome, in so doing we will find His perpetual rest.