THERE IS A REST FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD

 

JULY 7, 2023



Exodus 20:8

“Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.”



There’s a reason today’s passage is included in the ten commandments. No doubt God knew in advance our inclination to run ourselves into the ground and lose our connection with Him. Thus, the Sabbath. God’s beautiful gift to each of us.

I have found that Sabbath-keeping is one of the most life-giving practices in which you can engage. Consider the prophet Isaiah’s words:

If you refrain from trampling the Sabbath,
From pursuing your own interests on my Holy Day;
If you call the Sabbath a delight
And the Holy Day of the Lord honorable;
If you honor it, not going your own ways,
serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs;
then you shall take delight in the Lord,
and I will make you ride upon the heights… Isaiah 58:13-14

For those who seek to follow Jesus, Sabbath keeping is not optional. It is essential for us to have the abundant life you’ve been called to. Jesus said “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27

In Genesis we are told that God created everything in six days and on the seventh day He rested. Not because He was tired or needed a break but to celebrate His creation. Remember the declaration on Creation “It is Good!”

I believe the Bible gives us at least three purposes of the Sabbath.

To celebrate God’s provision. God has created everything. He has provided everything we will need. It was a day of rest to reflect on what God had done.

Another purpose was to enjoy God’s presence. It meant to stop your normal routine of the week and slow down and enjoy God’s presence without trying to accomplish everything possible on that day.

A third purpose was to remember God’s promises. It was a day to be reminded that God cares, He is committed to His people, and it served as a sign and testimony to others that God is worthy of our worship.

So, Jesus says, The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people. People need to celebrate the provision of God. They need to be reminded that there is a Creator who created everything and provides all things good. People need to enjoy God’s presence and to slow down, rest and relax in their relationship with God. People need to remember God’s promises and that He keeps His promises and that He is committed to them and that His grace is enough. The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people just like us.

That is why I said above that the Sabbath is God’s beautiful gift to each of us. So let us make "Space for God."



REFLECT

Think through these questions as we end our week of devotions.

What is your current practice of Sabbath keeping? Are their changes you need to make in your life to honor the Sabbath?

What would a sabbath that is “made for you” look like? What would be life-giving? What would be restful? What would point you to God?

Sabbath rest is God’s gift to us. How might you receive that gift with gratitude?