Eek. This one grabbed me. Did you even see it in the reading, or am I the only one?
Today’s reading: Leviticus 26-27, Acts 23
Scripture:
All the time that it lies desolate, the land will have the rest it did not have during the sabbaths you lived in it.
-Leviticus 26:35
Observation:
If you choose to not follow his decrees, they will still be enforced.
Application:
This chapter talks about the joys and great results in following the Lord’s decrees. And then it also talks about what will happen if you choose NOT to follow his decrees.
I’ve been thinking a lot about rest and sabbath lately. This verse leapt out at me.
It is talking about honoring the sabbath and letting your land take a break– -but I think it applies to us, as well. Our land is not meant to produce without break. Neither are we. If we choose not to take a break, perhaps that break will be forced upon us in more uncomfortable situations and/or later in life.
I have GOT to incorporate rest and rejuvenation in my life. Sabbath is critical.
Prayer:
Father God, I have such a hard time taking a break, I want to do work first and relax later, as a reward. I think you are telling me that rest is not a reward, it is a critical element of life. Help me to embrace this and incorporate it into my life. Help me to change my attitude and actions to integrate rest and rejuvenation in my life, as you instruct.
This is hard for me.
Guide me, please, oh Lord.
I need sabbath. I need rest.
For more about SOAP, please see my explanation: What is SOAP?
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