The Word of God is so fascinating. It never ceases to surprise me and makes me want to dig deeper. That is how I would describe this passage regarding the Sabbath, one I’ve never considered before.
“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. 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…Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day.” Deuteronomy 5:12-15 NLT
At first, when I read the passage in Deuteronomy, I found it interesting that the author (Moses) was correlating the Sabbath with the Israelites’ slavery in Egypt. How do the two connect? I even read the verse in different versions.
Moses and Aaron asked Pharaoh if they could go on a three-day journey (stop work and get alone with God) to worship their God. But Pharaoh said he didn’t know their God (had no reverence or respect for Him) and only made things worse for them.
The world doesn’t know God, doesn’t respect Him, and certainly doesn’t take the time of reverence toward Him. They just put more demands on our time so we don’t take the time for those things either.
Observing the Sabbath involves setting firm boundaries against any external or internal influences that might hinder your journey of following Jesus and becoming more like Him.
We are Jesus’ apprentices. If we are to learn from Him, we must spend time with Him, learning from Him, and listening to Him. That is what apprenticeship is all about, right?
The practice of Sabbath is more than just a day of rest; it’s a deliberate act of setting boundaries to prioritize our relationship with God. By observing the Sabbath, we resist the constant demands of the world and focus on our spiritual growth and community.
Reflect on your own weekly routine. How can you incorporate the practice of Sabbath into your life? Consider setting aside a dedicated day of rest, free from work and distractions, to focus on your relationship with God. Share your thoughts or commitments in the comments below, and let’s support each other in this journey of spiritual growth and rest.
2 thoughts on “I Choose Today the Sabbath: Part Two”
Love this…”The practice of Sabbath is more than just a day of rest; it’s a deliberate act of setting boundaries to prioritize our relationship with God.”
It is the practice of, because we will make mistakes, let external/internal influences interrupt our Sabbath with the Lord. We will fail, but we just need to keep trying, asking the Lord to empower us with what we need to keep the day holy. He is so patient and gracious with us. We just need to extend the same patience and grace to ourselves.