SABBATH
"Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day He rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy."
Exodus 20:8-11 (NLT)
How do you Sabbath?
First, let me set your mind at ease—this was a commandment in the Old Testament (fourth of the big ten). We are no longer bound by the Law, as Jesus has come to fulfill it. So, Sabbath is not a commandment that we are obligated to. However, there is still wisdom in the Law, and Sabbath remains a gracious invitation we get to be part of.
Now I know what you're thinking—I don't have time to do nothing and just focus on Jesus all day, prostrate on the ground in prayer. If you're like me, too much time with your eyes closed might lead to falling asleep anyway! You're thinking I'm too busy, and I can't afford to slow down. Maybe if there was another day in the week then I could slow down and have a day to just worship through pausing and reflecting and meditating on His word and goodness. Can I tell you what I think? Even if there were another day in the week, we'd find a way to fill it with more tasks. We're not a people who are great at simply slowing down. I have long loved this quote from Dallas Willard, who said: You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.
This quote was given in response to being asked what must be done to be spiritually healthy. Upon being pressed for further insight, Willard indicated that there was nothing else. Hurry is the great enemy of our very souls. Think about your own life. I'd be willing to bet that many, if not most, of your worst moments come when you're in a hurry.
What if God knew what He was doing from the very beginning? Wild thought, right? We know His power is inexhaustible. He didn't require rest on the seventh day. So why did He do it? I believe that He was modeling for us, from the very beginning, the value of rest. Of Sabbath. I know that we live in an age that worships more and faster. But what if God wants us to simply slow down and focus on Him?
APPLICATION: How can you Sabbath? How can you counterculturally set up your schedule and your life to make more room to simply abide with and worship God? Do some research on Sabbath—talk with some fellow believers and ask God to show you how you can establish rhythms of rest and Sabbath.
PRAYER: God help me to focus on You. You're worth it. In Jesus' name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?