Rest in the Lord refers to a spiritual rest from confusion, worry, stress, and useless human effort and a break from all internal, external, mortal, and spiritual enemies. The Hebrew word translated as rest means to be at peace, to be still, to be quiet or calm. The place of rest is in the Lord.
Psalm 37:7 (NKJV) Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Isaiah 63:13-14 (NLT) Where is the one who led them through the bottom of the sea? They were like fine stallions racing through the desert, never stumbling. As with cattle going down into a peaceful valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led your people, LORD, and gained a magnificent reputation.
In the Old Testament, God promised the people of Israel a life of peace in the Promised Land and rest.
Exodus 33:14 (ESV) And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
To those whose hearts strayed from Him, God said they would never enjoy His rest.
Psalm 95:7-11 (NLT) for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today! The LORD says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. For there your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw everything I did. For forty years I was angry with them, and I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’”
Hebrews 4:1–3 (NLT) God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. 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.”
Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV) “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Exodus 33:14 (NLT) The LORD replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”
God is not only present with us, but through our faith in Jesus, God dwells within us (through the Holy Spirit). He provides rest for us just like He did for Moses and for Israel.