FIND REST; FIND HIM
Daphne Powell
Today’s Scripture: “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” Colossians 2:16-17, ESV
Theme: Let God gently lead you to Sabbath rest, with no shame or comparison to others.
WALK IN OBEDIENCE
The Bible is God’s living Word. We learn and try to follow the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. We know the Lord’s Prayer. We go to church, serve, and join Life Groups. But when it comes to the Sabbath, do we even try? Why are we not obedient to rest?
First, obedience is intentional. We very easily let the world interfere with this today. Kids have team practices or want to spend time with friends. Working five to six days a week leaves Sunday as the only day to go to the grocery store or shopping. We find so many reasons to validate our disobedience. Exodus talks about how they gathered and prepared for the day of rest. So, we must use the time God gave us better, and deliberately prepare to honor the Sabbath.
FORGIVENESS FROM GUILT
We are often so busy trying to “keep up with the Joneses” that we are not keeping up with and connecting with Jesus. We are worried about what others will think about us if we sit at home all day and do nothing. Can you imagine saying: “I’m sorry; I can’t because I am observing the Sabbath.” We have associated doing nothing with laziness.
Instead, we must be content with what we have, where we are, and how God is the leader of our lives. We are ignoring His commands because we are trying to show the world what we have, instead of showing the Lord our hearts. We also can’t let the times with life happens and we unavoidably miss gathering with the family of God create guilt and shame. Others are watching what we do. Give yourself grace.
FIND REST FIND HIM
Are you wondering why you’re tired, depressed, over budget, and not connected to Him? The Lord showed us why the Sabbath is important and necessary. Jesus, too, showed us He needed alone time. The Sabbath is not just about us resting because we are tired. The Sabbath is about spending time with Him, growing closer to Him, honoring Him, and not the world. We need to read His Word, put on our armor, and strengthen ourselves for the coming week. We are so busy trying to hear Him through the noise...instead of being still to hear Him better. Let’s change that this week.
Make It Personal: I remember using the excuse that I had to work on the Sabbath so that is why I could not honor it. Then I did a study on the Sabbath, and it pointed out that if I’m off Tuesday, then that is my Sabbath. Also, I stopped using my day off to participate in the world, but to rest and find Him. I found that I went into the next week stronger and more focused because I have spent time in prayer, worship, and conversation with Him. How might you celebrate the Sabbath in your situation?
Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for being the example, for showing us how to find You through rest and solitude. Teach us to spend the day in prayer, and in the quiet, help us hear You speak to us. Amen.
Read: Exodus 16:23-26; Leviticus 23:3; Genesis 2:2-3; Luke 5:16; Ephesians 6:11
Weekly Memory Verse: “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 20:11, ESV