The Gift of Rest: God’s Answer
to Anxious Toil
The Futility
of Anxious Labor
Solomon wrote in Psalm 127:2,
“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the
bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” The word
“vain” means empty, useless, without purpose. Solomon was describing
the emptiness of working ourselves into exhaustion when trust in God
is missing. The Bible teaches diligence and the value of labor
(Proverbs 10:4; 2 Thessalonians 3:10). The trouble begins when labor
turns into anxious striving, when we rise early and stay up late
believing everything rests on our shoulders. Jesus asked in Matthew
6:27, “Which of you by taking
thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” Worry does not add
anything to our lives, yet many people live off the “bread of
sorrows,” feeding on anxiety day after day.
It is worth
noting that Psalm 127 is one of only two psalms directly linked to
Solomon. The themes fit him well—building houses, raising families,
and finding meaning in labor. Just as in Ecclesiastes, Solomon
points us to the truth that labor without trust in God is vanity.
This little detail helps us remember that even the wisest man to
ever live, apart from Christ, understood the futility of anxious
toil and the necessity of God’s blessing.
The
Tenderness of God’s Love
Solomon calls God’s people “His beloved.” That is a term of
affection, reminding us that God cares deeply for His children. In
the New Testament, Paul assures us in Romans 8:38–39 that nothing
can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. When
we are God’s beloved, we can set down the burden of
self-sufficiency. Jesus offers a gentle invitation in Matthew 11:28:
“Come unto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” To be
loved by God is to be cared for, sustained, and given peace in the
midst of a restless world.
This is very
much like the love of a father for his children. As parents, we want
our children to trust us. When my own kids were young, I wanted them
to rest securely at night, without fear, because I was awake and
watching. I wanted them to know that they didn’t have to bear adult
burdens—they could sleep because I was carrying those cares for
them. Isn’t that what God desires for us? He calls us His beloved
and wants us to rest securely, knowing that our Father is watching
over us. Jesus used this same picture in Matthew 7:9–11, reminding
us that if earthly fathers know how to give good gifts, our heavenly
Father will surely provide for His children.
The
Blessing of Rest
Solomon says, “He gives His
beloved sleep.” Some translations read,
“He gives to His beloved even
in their sleep.” The point is clear: God blesses His children
during their labor and also during their rest. Jesus told His
disciples in Mark 6:31, “Come
ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.”
Rest flows from faith—it shows trust in God’s care. Paul wrote in
Philippians 4:6–7, “Be careful
for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace
of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.” God’s peace allows us to lay our
heads down without fear, for
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only
makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).
The Gift of
Rest Sermon Outline
-
The Futility
of Anxious Labor
-
Psalm
127:2 – rising early, staying late, eating the bread of
sorrows
-
Matthew
6:27 – worry adds nothing
-
Ecclesiastes 2:11 – Solomon’s testimony of vanity in toil
-
Honorable mention: Psalm 127 is one of only two psalms
linked to Solomon, tying to his themes in Ecclesiastes
-
The
Tenderness of God’s Love
-
Psalm
127:2 – “His beloved”
-
Romans
8:38–39 – nothing separates us from God’s love in Christ
-
Matthew
11:28–29 – Christ offers rest to the weary
-
Matthew
7:9–11 – God as the perfect Father
-
Illustration: a father wanting his children to rest
securely, knowing he bears their burdens
-
The Blessing
of Rest
-
Psalm
127:2 – God gives His beloved sleep
-
Mark
6:31 – Jesus calls His disciples to rest
-
Philippians 4:6–7 – God’s peace guards hearts and minds
-
Psalm
4:8 – safe rest comes from God
Call to
Action
Many people today are exhausted because they carry their burdens
without leaning on God. They eat the bread of anxiety instead of the
bread of life. God is honored when His people place their confidence
in Him. Just as a child rests peacefully when his father is
watching, so we must learn to rest in our heavenly Father’s care.
Tonight, lay down your burdens at the feet of Jesus. Learn to rest
in His love. Trust Him enough to stop, to breathe, and to sleep, for
He gives peace to His beloved.
Key
Takeaways
-
Anxious
labor apart from God is empty (Psalm 127:2; Matthew 6:27)
-
God calls
His children “beloved” and offers them peace (Romans 8:38–39;
Matthew 11:28)
-
God desires
us to trust Him like children trust their father (Matthew
7:9–11)
-
Rest
demonstrates faith—trusting God enough to stop (Mark 6:31;
Philippians 4:6–7)
-
True rest
comes when we entrust our lives to the Lord (Psalm 4:8)
Scripture
Reference List
-
Psalm 127:2
– Vanity of anxious labor; God gives His beloved sleep
-
Matthew 6:27
– Worry cannot add to life
-
Ecclesiastes
2:11 – Solomon’s reflection on toil
-
Romans
8:38–39 – God’s inseparable love in Christ
-
Matthew
11:28–29 – Rest for the weary in Christ
-
Matthew
7:9–11 – God as a good Father
-
Mark 6:31 –
Jesus calls for rest
-
Philippians
4:6–7 – Peace that guards hearts and minds
-
Psalm 4:8 –
Peaceful, safe sleep from the Lord
Lesson prepared
by David Hersey
|
The
church of Christ
