22 Bible Verses About Rest

In a world that never seems to slow down, finding rest can feel like an elusive dream. Our schedules are packed, our to-do lists are endless, and the pressure to keep up is relentless. Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle, there’s a gentle whisper calling us to pause, breathe, and embrace the gift of rest.

Rest isn’t just about taking a break; it’s about finding a deeper sense of peace and renewal that goes beyond physical relaxation. It’s about reconnecting with our Creator and allowing Him to restore our weary souls. The Bible, with its timeless wisdom, offers profound insights into the importance of rest and how it can transform our lives.

So, if you’re feeling worn out and in need of a divine pause, you’re in the right place. Here are 22 Bible verses about rest that will inspire you to slow down, recharge, and find true rest in the presence of God.

22 Bible Verses About Rest

Verses About Sabbath Rest
Verses About Rest in God
Verses About Physical Rest
Verses About Rest from Worry
Verses About Eternal Rest

The concept of Sabbath rest is deeply rooted in the creation story, where God rested on the seventh day after creating the world. This day of rest was later commanded to the Israelites as a sign of their covenant with God, a time to cease from labor and focus on spiritual renewal. The Sabbath serves as a reminder that rest is not just a physical necessity but a spiritual discipline, allowing individuals to pause and reflect on their relationship with the divine.

Exodus 20:8–10: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.”

Genesis 2:2–3: “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”

Mark 2:27: “Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'”

Isaiah 58:13–14: “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Hebrews 4:9–10: “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”

Resting in God is about finding peace and solace in the divine presence, regardless of life’s circumstances. This type of rest is not dependent on external conditions but is a deep, inner tranquility that comes from trusting in God’s promises and faithfulness. It’s about letting go of burdens and finding comfort in the assurance that God is in control, providing a refuge and strength in times of trouble.

Matthew 11:28–30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Psalm 62:1–2: “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Psalm 23:1–3: “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

Isaiah 40:29–31: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Physical rest is essential for maintaining health and well-being. The Bible acknowledges the importance of taking care of our bodies, which are described as temples of the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself took time to withdraw from the crowds to rest and pray, demonstrating the need for balance between work and rest. Physical rest rejuvenates the body and mind, enabling individuals to serve others more effectively.

Mark 6:31: “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'”

Psalm 127:2: “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

Ecclesiastes 4:6: “Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.”

Proverbs 3:24: “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

Rest from worry involves releasing anxiety and stress, trusting that God will provide and care for our needs. Jesus taught about the futility of worry, encouraging followers to seek first the kingdom of God and trust that everything else will fall into place. This type of rest is about shifting focus from problems to the divine, finding peace in the knowledge that God is aware of our struggles and is working for our good.

Philippians 4:6–7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Psalm 55:22: “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Eternal rest is the hope of believers, a promise of peace and joy in the presence of God after this life. The book of Revelation speaks of a time when there will be no more pain, suffering, or tears, and believers will find ultimate rest in the presence of the divine. This hope of eternal rest provides comfort and motivation, encouraging individuals to persevere through life’s challenges with the assurance of a glorious future.

Revelation 14:13: “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.'”

Hebrews 4:1: “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.”

2 Thessalonians 1:7: “And give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.”

Isaiah 57:2: “Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”