Remember The Sabbath

Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work. . . . For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

Exodus 20:8-9, 11

This fourth commandment is often overlooked. I have been contemplating this commandment recently because there seems to be very little distinction between the six days we do our work and the one day each week that is holy—the Sabbath dedicated to the Lord our God.

Holy means “set apart.” Whether we feel holy or not, we are set apart in Christ when we receive Him. One day in our week is to be set apart and made different from all the rest. If we are in Christ, let’s ask ourselves, Do I keep the Sabbath day holy? Is it different from other days in my heart and in my home? How?

It’s easy to fall into the habit of letting work consume us. After all, God gives us work to do, and we can honor Him with our work. But God created us to rest, too. Rest refuels us inside and out. We read in Genesis that God the Father rested after He finished creating the world, which was a big job! In the Gospels, Jesus often withdrew alone to rest and talk to His Father.

My mama’s best friend, Dorcas, is a firm believer in rest. Sometimes I would hear my mama ask her what she was doing, and without hesitation Dorcas would reply, “I was taking a little rest.” Dorcas has become my friend, too, and I have spent a lot of time with her over the years. I have never seen her impatient or in a hurry. God’s rest helps her.

God knows what we need better than we do, so let’s heed Him when He tells us to make the Sabbath a day given wholly to Him.

God gave His commands to benefit us. Think about what changes you need to make in order to set aside the Sabbath for God.