March 19, 2008
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
--Exodus 20:8-11
Let’s face it. Life is hard. And because God knew that our lives would be hard and demanding, He gave us this commandment to prevent us from burning out!
I think the length of this commandment, when compared to the other nine, emphasizes its importance. Here we have 98 words of the English language that underscore the importance of resting!
God was even an example of this commandment Himself. He created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.
God knows there are going to be some weeks or months that are more hectic for you than others. But He’s provided a rest stop in the middle of life’s busy highway each week so you can catch your breath and regain your strength.
That’s why the Scripture says the Sabbath is a holy day—a day that’s different, separate, and set apart for God.
Each of us—mentally, physically, and spiritually—needs a day of rest each week. But we also need that day of rest set apart to worship God as we rejuvenate our spirits and minds.
I want to challenge you today to maintain a healthy balance. Life is more than labor. If you don’t take time to worship God and acknowledge the day of rest He’s set aside, life will become increasingly difficult for you!
Today, make a commitment to take a break from the marathon of life, catch your breath, praise the Lord for bringing you thus far, and enjoy a time of renewal.
GOD’S PROVIDED YOU A REST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF LIFE’S BUSY HIGHWAY EACH WEEK SO YOU CAN CATCH YOUR BREATH AND REGAIN YOUR STRENGTH. SO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!
