Ready to Rest
Opening Prayer
Lord of the Sabbath, it wears me down when I push to get things done without a break. Teach me to take rests.
Read Exodus 31:12-18
[12] Then the LORD said to Moses, [13] “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. [14] “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. [15] For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. [16] The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. [17] It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.'” [18] When the LORD finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What are God's rules for the Sabbath and his reasons for them?The pattern of work for the people of God as they build the tabernacle is to reflect the rhythm of God’s own work when he created the world: six days of work followed by a day of rest. But the severe penalty (14,15) for not observing the Sabbath indicates that it is more important than that. Working for God and following his commands aren’t enough in themselves to make his people holy. They also need time to rest and worship–time to be with God. Sabbath observance is a distinguishing mark of the people of God. It is a sign to other nations of the special relationship between the Lord and his chosen people. At its heart is the concept of holiness–of being both set apart from the rest of the world and set apart for God. The need for “set apartness” is just as important for us today as it was for those in Moses’ time. And we’ll never be set apart if we do not rest and focus upon God.
Apply
How can you make time in your life to be “set apart” with and for God? Start today, if possible.
Closing prayer
Lord, as I cease my work, help me to find a fresh perspective upon both who You are and who I am.
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