Goshen Devotional
Lord of the Sabbath
Reading: Exodus 31:12-13
Then the Lord said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.
What is the Sabbath?
The Sabbath is a day of rest. It takes place on the 7th day of the week. Originally from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. "For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord." (Exodus 31:15a)
Why should we honour the Sabbath?
We should honour the Sabbath because it is holy to us and the Lord. It is good to honour the Sabbath. "Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you." (Exodus 31:14a)
What keeps us from honouring the Sabbath?
The most obvious distraction from keeping the Sabbath is our busy lives. It's true that sometimes we have commitments, things must be taken care of, and occasions must be attended to. All of this can fall on a day of rest. We don't believe that God punishes us for this; after all, the Sabbath was made to benefit us. In Mark 2:25-28 Jesus says;
He answered, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."
Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
How do we keep the Sabbath holy?
If the Lord is convicting you to keep the Sabbath holy, this can have great benefits on your spiritual life and even your physical well-being by allowing you to rest consistently one day of the week.
Dedicate that day to God. Whether you feel that Saturday or Sunday is more suited for a day of rest, give that day to God. Make yourself holy for Him. Do God's will. Suppose He tells you to help someone in need or to check in on a loved one. Or even just spending quality time with those closest to you.
Take the time to be in His Word. Listen to His voice; maybe He wants to share essential plans with you, plans for your future. Pray about it. Meditate upon it. Ask Him if there's anything on His heart you should pray for. You might be pleasantly surprised when He confides in you. "The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them." (Psalms 25:14).
Keep the day holy by doing things that are pleasing to God.
Happy Sabbath!
Read more verses on the Sabbath:
Amen.
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