You need the Sabbath

Good morning, everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Savor the moment”

Our Bible verse for today: “That Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.” Marck 2:27 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “You need the Sabbath”

I love Sundays. Sunday is the best day of the week. It’s the day that God’s people gather for worship as the whole church family comes together in one place. The day is filled with love, joy, happiness, good fellowship, singing, teaching, and preaching. It’s uplifting, encouraging, and spiritually rich. It’s a time for healing and growing and renewal. The Sunday gathering is one half of a good Sabbath – the other half is to go home and rest.

In his book, “The Relentless Elimination of Hurry”, Pastor John Mark Comer includes an excellent chapter about the value and importance of observing the Sabbath. He points out that the word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word “Shabbat” and literally means “to stop”. It means that we are to cease normal activities and to instead worship and rest.

Doing so is so important that God commanded us to do it. Comer points out that observing the Sabbath is the only spiritual discipline included in the Ten Commandments (it’s the fourth). There God commanded us to remember the Sabbath and to keep it holy. It’s the only spiritual discipline that made it onto the list. Not fasting or Bible reading or even prayer. “Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy.”

We are to work six days and to observe the Sabbath on the seventh. God Himself modeled it for us in Genesis 2:3 when He took the seventh day to rest and admire His creation. But of course, God wasn’t tired. He didn’t need to rest. He did it as an example for us. Stop your labor, your chores and errands, your relentless rushing through life, and just worship and rest. That’s what the Sabbath is for.

What Jesus was teaching in Mark 2:27 is that God created the concept of Sabbath for our benefit. The Sabbath was made for man. We need it. The regular rhythm of our lives needs to include coming to a full stop once a week for the specific purpose of worshiping God and resting our body. Comer writes, “The Sabbath is how we fill our souls back up.” That’s true because observing Sabbath is renewing and refreshing. It’s how we recharge our physical and spiritual batteries, so we’ll be at our best the rest of the week. This is why God called the day blessed and holy.

Think of Sabbath as a weekly holiday. It’s Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day, or Labor Day once every week. It’s a special day for celebrating, feasting, resting, and for company. It’s filled with worship, rest, and fun. So don’t miss it! You need your Sabbath!

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Share this:

Related

Leave a comment Cancel reply