50 Peaceful Bible Verses About Rest in God

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Why is rest important? Rest is crucial to us as Christians because it allows us to refocus on things that actually matter. Rest doesn’t just mean physical rest either. In fact, bible verses about rest show us that when we rest in the Lord, we also find spiritual rest in His comforting embrace.

I find that personally when I rest spiritually, that’s where I find God. Resting in Him means I put aside all the worldly distractions and simply focus on God and hear God’s voice. And this spiritual connection with God helps me to recenter my mental and emotional stability as well.

God actually invites us to rest in Him anytime because resting is also a sign of our faith. Putting aside everything and just soaking in His unconditional love means there is assurance knowing that our world will not falter with God in command. It’s just like the story of Mary and Magdalene! While Martha rushes around to prepare Jesus for a feast, Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to Him, which Jesus mentions as a behavior He adores (Luke 10:41-42). So, are we a Mary or a Martha? Will we choose to rest in God today?

What Does the Bible Say About Rest?

But what does God Himself say about rest? Actually, God commands us to rest. As Christians, we are called to honor the Sabbath day, the seventh day of the week that is meant for rest. By establishing the Sabbath, He commanded us to rest (Mark 2:27), as even God Himself rested on the seventh day of creation (Genesis 2:1-3). God is a God for mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. 

Where in the Bible does it talk about rest? The Bible actually implicitly mentions rest right from the beginning in Genesis 1:1 when God came out of resting to create the heavens and the earth. Following that, the Bible quotes resting many times from the Old to the New Testaments. Even Jesus rested! (John 4:6). In fact, the Bible mentions “rest” 257 times. Therefore, it’s clear that the rest is important to God.

Bible Verses on Rest

We look to scriptures on rest as a reminder that the greatest rest we can find is in God. When we rest in the Lord, we give ourselves to Him fully and faithfully. Finding rest in God is a privilege because our relationship with Him allows us access to voice, comfort, and graciousness. Remember: you can rest now, tomorrow, or any time of the day because we can always readily find rest in God.

1. Psalm 62:1

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Psalm 62:1 Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.

2. Matthew 11:28

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

3. Hebrews 4:9-11

Hebrews 4:9-11 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. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

4. Isaiah 30:15

Isaiah 30:15 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”

5. Psalm 116:7

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Psalm 116:7 Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

6. Exodus 20:8-10

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.

7. Mark 6:31

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.”

8. Exodus 33:14

Exodus 33:14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

9. Psalm 23:1-2

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Psalm 23:1-2 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.

10. Matthew 11:29

Matthew 11:29 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.

11. Hebrews 4:1

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.

12. Isaiah 32:18

Isaiah 32:18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

13. Jeremiah 33:12

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Jeremiah 33:12 This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In this place, desolate without people or animals–in all its towns there will again be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks.’

Bible Verses About Rest During Stressful Times

Bible verses about stress and anxiety are excellent reminders for us to schedule rest. Rest doesn’t come to us naturally anymore because of how fast the world moves. And that is why rest needs to be intentional. Rest is a discipline. So schedule your rest and take heart that God has conquered the world – your world! (John 16:33).  When we rest and refocus on God, many things that once troubled you will lose their power over us. May we put all our worries to rest today. 

14. Psalm 119:143

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Psalm 119:143 Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.

15. Psalm 55:6

Psalm 55:6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.”

16. Psalm 55:22

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

17. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

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2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

18. Psalm 118:5

Psalm 118:5 When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place.

19. Philippians 4:6-7

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

20. Psalm 91:1-2

Psalm 91:1-2 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

21. Psalm 94:19

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Psalm 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Bible Verses About Hard Work and Rest

Many of us understand bible verses about hard work as reasons and justifications to work hard and serve God. But, we often overlook the nuances in these verses – work hard and rest, forgetting the latter. Bible verses about working hard talk about diligence in our service to the Lord. But, also diligence in finding rest in God. So don’t be lazy in your rest and your quiet time with God. Make it your priority.

22. Proverbs 16:3

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Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

23. Colossians 3:23

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

24. 1 Thessalonians 4:11

1 Thessalonians 4:11 And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.

25. Proverbs 13:4

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Proverbs 13:4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

26. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.

27. Proverbs 12:24

Proverbs 12:24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

28. Colossians 3:17

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Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

29. 2 Timothy 2:6

2 Timothy 2:6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

30. Exodus 23:12

Exodus 23:12 Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.

31. Romans 12:2 

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

32. Proverbs 12:11

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Proverbs 12:11 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

Bible Verses About Sleep and Rest

What does the Bible say about rest and sleep? We talked about spiritual rest earlier. Here, we focus on physical rest. God’s comforting bible verses call us into healing as we rest physically (Mark 6:31). We can think of these scriptures as bible verses about healing, as they remind us to take time to rest and recover. Our bodies are the temple of God. And it is our duty to ensure our bodies receive ample rest. Sleep isn’t for the weak, sleep is for those who obey God.

33. Psalm 127:2

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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.

34. Proverbs 3:24

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

35. Psalm 121:3-4

Psalm 121:3-4 He will not let your foot slip–he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

36. Job 14:12

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Job 14:12 So he lies down and does not rise; till the heavens are no more, people will not awake or be roused from their sleep.

37. Job 13:15-17

Job 13:15-17 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him! Listen carefully to what I say; let me words ring in your ears.

38. John 11:12

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John 11:12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”

39. Matthew 8:24

Matthew 8:24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.

40. Proverbs 3:24

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

41. Psalm 3:5

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Psalm 3:5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

Bible Verses About Rest and Peace

We rest in God to find peace, an otherworldly peace that only He can provide (John 14:27). Thus, we look to bible verses about peace as an assurance that all those who are heavily laden can always find rest for their soul in God–even in death. Let’s remember that death is not the end, but the beginning of our eternal rest and reunion with the Lord in heaven.

42. Psalm 4:8

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Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

43. Isaiah 57:2

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

44. John 16:33

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

45. Psalm 46:10

Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

46. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

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2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

4.7 John 14:27

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.

48. Romans 16:20

Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

49. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

50. Revelation 14:13

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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.”

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A Prayer for Rest

Dear Lord, my heart is weary and the noise in my mind is overwhelming. While I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve You, I am tired and in need of Your guidance. Please help me open my heart to Your guidance. Help me accept your invitation to rest in Your arms and create healthy boundaries between myself and what overwhelms me. With this prayer, I humbly ask that my mind, body, and spirit are renewed as I rest in You. This I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.