This morning I included an Old Testament passage in our reading to make our reading Leviticus 23-24, Psalm 24, Acts 21.
I am pulling the reading assignments from the Faithbridge reading plan. Most days I have been sticking to New Testament, but, today, I felt the need to read the Old Testament passage, too. And it certainly called out to me! The Sabbath rest thing just smacked me over the head so much I had to pull out a highlighter and mark every time we were commanded to take a break. There were a LOT of them!
Scripture:
“…You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the Lord.”
Leviticus 23: 3, 7, 21, 24-25, 28, 31-32, 36, 39
Observation:
In each of these verses, we are commanded to observe a Sabbath and do no work for the day.
Eight times this is mentioned. That is seven more times than just the one day a week idea.
Application:
It is clear we are commanded to rest. I’ve read the Bible several times, but this grouping of eight occasions, back to back, in one chapter, when we are instructed to rest has never jumped out at me before as it did today.
Last week I took a break and on one day I finally did no work. And it was magnificent. I honestly cannot remember a day in the past three years that has happened, except knee surgery days.
Yes, we can work our tails off and run, run run. But I am pretty sure that if God instructed us to take several Sabbath days a year, and one per week, he meant it. He knew long ago we would need it.
Sure, hustle the other days, but take one a week, and several others a year to recharge and reflect.
I am awful at this.
But I think it is time to learn.
Prayer:
Father God,
Help me to build Sabbath into my life. I have such a hard time relaxing– I feel like I cannot stop with a growing to-do list.
I keep thinking that once I get the to do list whittled down, then I will be able to relax.
Saturday I relaxed, even with a massive to do list… and it felt great! Thank you for that!
I don’t know if that list will ever be completely marked off– and maybe that is why you are telling us not to wait to relax, but to make relaxing and reflecting a habit.
Please, Father, help me to incorporate rest into my schedule. Help me to honor your instruction.
You designed me. Your instructions must be right.
Help me to follow them and not fight them.
Amen.
PS– The photo above was snapped Saturday, when I relaxed at Serenity Bay of Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, reachable only by Disney Cruise Lines. It was even more beautiful than the picture shows… and I didn’t use a filter :)
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