Genesis 2:1-3; Psalm 147:1-6

Genesis 2:1-3
So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

After six days, creation was complete. God maintains the universe, but He is not creating anything new today. His work of creation is finished.

He then set an example for us and rested on the seventh day (Saturday). This pattern became part of the Law of Moses and remained the law until Jesus rose from the dead. From that time on believers worship on the first day of the week (Sunday), and we are not bound by a strict law of rest. However, I think it's still good to remember God's example of resting. I'm afraid we as Americans don't do enough resting. I know I don't. We fill our lives so full, and our pace is so frantic, that we find ourselves chronically exhausted and full of stress. This is not what God wants. It's hard to find that balance because of course, God doesn't want us to be lazy either.

Here are a couple of reminders from the New Testament:
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."  Matthew 11:28-30.

God's rest on the 7th day is a pattern for our eternal rest in heaven. The following comes from Hebrews 4:3-10. For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, "In my anger I took an oath: They will never enter my place of rest." even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: "On the seventh day God rested from all his work." But in the other passage God said, "They will never enter my place of rest."

So God's rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: "Today when you hear his voice, don't harden your hearts." ...So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God's rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world."

Psalm 147:1-6

These are beautiful words of praise! I believe the blessings of God come to us when we praise Him! It sets a pattern of joy and thanksgiving. Isn't that a lot better than worry, anxiety, and irritable words? When we're brokenhearted, He comforts us. When we need to make decisions, His understanding is beyond comprehension. When we are helpless (or feel that way), His power is absolute. How great is our Lord!

Praise the Lord!
How good to sing praises to our God!
How delightful and how fitting!
The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem and bringing the exiles back to Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.
He counts the stars and calls them by name.
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!
The Lord supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust.