By Autumn Nims | CEO, International Women’s Ministries
“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”
— Exodus 20:8 (NLT)
“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding
it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to His loved ones…”
— Psalm 127:1–2 (NLT)
Recently, I came across Psalm 127, and it immediately resonated deep within me. I knew the Lord was
whispering something to my heart.
“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat;
for God gives rest to His loved ones.” (Psalm 127:2)
As I meditated on this verse, it became clear that somewhere along the way, I had lost the ability to
rest. I couldn’t tell you when it started—it just crept in quietly. Oh, I was still praying. I was still in the Word. But I was also striving—pushing for more, trying to figure out what “more” even meant. Somewhere between obedience and ambition, I drifted from the gentle rhythm of rest that God had designed from the very beginning.
The Sabbath rest isn’t merely a good idea—it’s a command. From creation itself, God established a
pattern of work and rest: “By the seventh day God had finished His work; so on the seventh day He
rested from all His work.” (Genesis 2:2)
As the Lord began to speak to me through Psalm 127, I realized I had drifted from this sacred call. And yes,
there are consequences. I was frazzled. Overwhelmed. Exhausted. Trying to do holy work with human strength. But we were never meant to live apart from His rest. Jesus reminds us in John 15 that “apart from Me, you can do nothing.” I knew that truth—but somehow, the slow creep of busyness had numbed my awareness of it. The enemy is subtle. He distracts, diverts, and surrounds us with noise until we forget that rest is holy. The word Sabbath (Shabbat) in Hebrew means “to cease” or “to rest.” It’s not just a pause
from work—it’s a sacred invitation to remember.
My three takeaways from rediscovering the Sabbath are these:
- Cease and Rest: Stop striving. Stop carrying what God never asked you to.
- Remember and Reflect: Recall God’s deliverance, salvation, and faithful provision.
- Renew Your Faith: The Sabbath
is a covenant reminder—a weekly rehearsal of trust that He is our Provider.
It’s more than rest; it’s a sacred rhythm—a divine heartbeat that keeps our priorities in the right place.
When we step into Sabbath, we step into peace, presence, and perspective.
The Sabbath is a set-apart time to focus on the Lord—to remember His goodness and mercy. It’s a
weekly reminder that He is enough, and we are loved.
So today, as you read this, pause. Breathe. Release the weight you’ve been carrying. Let the God who
loves you restore your soul.
“For God gives rest to His loved ones.” (Psalm 127:2)
Shabbat Shalom, dear friends. May your soul find rest in Him.
Autumn Nims
International Women’s Ministries
“Wiping Tears Globally”
www.internationalwomensministries.com
