A Day of Rest

February 25, 2017

A Day of Rest

Thus the heavens and the earth, an all the host of them, were finished. An on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made (Genesis 2:1-3).

Let's face it, this life can be crazy at times. I remember when in graduate school the thought of taking an entire day off from working seemed impossible. There was always something to do, articles to read, papers to write, assignments to complete, and meetings to attend. Yet, I found that working 7 days a week did not shortened my to-do list, did not make me feel as if I had accomplished more, and definitely did not enhance my relationship with God. Instead, I found myself feeling drained and needing refreshment.

God knew what He was doing when he set aside a full day of rest for His creation. Jesus tells us that "The sabbath was made for man..." Mark 2:27. Why would we need this? For me the sabbath is not just a day of physical rest, but it is also a day of spiritual refreshment, communion with God, and time with my family. A day we can turn off worldly distractions and other duties and spend time reflecting, learning, fellowshipping, ministering, and yes, resting. I don't know about you, but during the week the time I spend with God and family seems limited.

I have come to cherish each Friday evening as it approaches.

The sabbath was established at creation an will continue on through life in the new earth (Isiah 66: 22-23). By observing the blessed sabbath day as a holy day we also recognize God as the creator of the heaven, earth and sea. (Exodus 20:8-11):

Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.

Six days shalt thou labor, and do all they work:

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God:

in it thou shalt not do any work,

thou, nor they son, nor they daughter, they manservant, nor they maidservant, nor thy cattle,

nor thy stranger that is within they gates:

For in six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth,

the sea and all that in them is,

and rested the seventh day: wherefore

the Lord blessed the

sabbath day and hallowed it.

As opposed to worshiping other gods, we are admonished to worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters (Revelation 14:6).