Sabbath Rest
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. (Genesis 2:2-3)
What’s God been doing in your life?
Yes, it’s that time again! I would love to hear what God is doing in your life. How has God been faithful to you? How has God answered your prayers? Can you reflect back on your week and see that God has come through in a specific way?
I have been studying different passages on what it means to take a day of rest. I’m convinced that I haven’t been doing a good job at it. In fact, last week I saw myself go and go and go for many different reasons. It doesn’t matter what or how life fills up, it just does and our lack of rest tends to affect the other areas in our lives. I know for me, I watch it affect my marriage, my friendships, my health, my ministry, my writing, etc. I have to stop and take time to refresh, refuel, and recharge in the Lord. There is no way I can give on an empty battery!
Do you know that there are over 50 Greek and Hebrew translations of the word rest in the Bible? This amazes me! God knows that we need rest! He knew that we would work ourselves to death and not take breaks. He knew that He would have to be the example. So He started the habit of resting in the beginning of the Bible. Let’s take a look at what “rest” means to God.
1. Rest is a Reward.
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” ~Genesis 2:2
God worked hard six days in a row. I challenge you to read Genesis 1 and see just how hard He worked to create this earth that we enjoy. But on the seventh day, He rested. If God needed rest, how much more do we need rest. Remember, your times of rest will certainly refresh you for your times of service in the Lord. You will have more to pour out, if you allow God the time to pour into you! The reward for 6 days of hard labor is 1 day of rest. We are on for 6 and off for 1. There is a balance to work and rest!
2. Rest Refreshes us.
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” ~Exodus 20:8
God set aside a day for worship, so we can focus on what really matters. It’s a time to reflect on what really matters and become refreshed through the Lord. God cares about us so much, that He set this day aside. He knows us better than we know ourselves and He knows that we will crash hard if we do not take the time to rest in worship! Have you been protecting your Sabbath day?
3. Rest Refuels us.
“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.” ~Exodus 34:21
What does rest look like to you? For moms, maybe Sundays could be a pizza night with paper plates (no dishes and cooking). Time off from the kitchen! For dads, maybe Sundays could be a day of games with the family or outdoor adventures, instead of working on the yard or in the garage. For singles, maybe Sundays could be a day of doing that one thing you have been waiting to do or just time alone with God. Each one of you knows what rest looks like for you. I challenge you to take time to rest. You will be better for it and those around you will be too! Each one of us serves God better when we give ourselves a day of rest! Our bodies were not made to do 7 full days of work. Remember the equation, 6 days of work and 1 day of rest. Please find a balance in your life!
Challenge: Read Genesis 1 – 2:3, Take time to picture every day of creation. Imagine what it would have been like to see God in action! Allow these 6 days of creation to leave you speechless! Now, imagine taking one day off! If God needs it, then I guarantee you need it too!
Memory Verse: Genesis 2:2-3
Dear Father God, I pray You will show me what a day of rest looks like in my life. Please help me to treat Sundays different from any other day of the week. Help me to use it as a day to get refueled, recharged, and refreshed to do Your work throughout the week! I know that I can’t do much without You first pouring into me.
Surrendering My Sundays,
Hello Sarah, nice to see others reaching for the significance of the rest God has given us. I would like to invite you to read 2 of my recent posts. First,
Trips to the Tomb, and second, Wgy a Seven Day Week.
Peace.
William
Hi William,
Yes, I believe that it’s so important to get rest. It’s amazing how much better I feel and how much more I can accomplish when I allow myself to have that one day of rest a week. I would love to read your posts, but I don’t know how to get on your website. Can you leave me a website to get on to?
Thanks,
Sarah
LOL Nope.
Here’s the old way . . .
https://gatesofthecity.wordpress.com/2011/02/16/trips-to-the-tomb/
https://gatesofthecity.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/why-a-seven-day-week/
At least those are the addresses . Feel like I am graffiting up your page…sorry
William,
No problem! Thanks for sharing! Let me know if you need help in the future with sharing a link! May God continue to use your ministry in great ways!
~Sarah
LOL…sorry the links don’t work and I am still typing with thumbs. Can’t figure all this stuff out. Anyway, if your interested, if your interested there there on my blog. Keep on writing, enjoyed the read 🙂
William
Your quoting scripture that says the seventh day, but then you say rest on Sunday.According to my calendar, Sunday is the first day of the week.
Hi James,
Thank you for adding this! I completely agree with you! I try to keep my devotionals short, as many readers tend to have a limited amount of time. So I did not go into the history of the Sabbath. I decided to lean more on the side of how it is celebrated in our lives today. Most people tend to celebrate it on Sunday. It’s great if you celebrate it on Saturday! I pray God continues to show you what the Sabbath rest looks like in your life!
Thanks for the added information!
Sarah
I grew up in the home that on SUnday’s you went to church and the rest of the day you enjoyed being with the family. We had family dinner and friends of the family would sometimes come over. But one thing we did not do was do any work. I never understood why? But as I got older I saw the reason behind it. Now a days people don’t do much of fellowship after church. When we became older adults me and my family we still had dinners after church it’s something about the fellowship on Sunday’s that meant so much to me and to the family. When I had my daughter I taught her the value of having fellowship after church and so she does the same thing as well.
Desiray,
It’s always great to hear from you! I grew up celebrating Sundays too. My family would use them as time to fellowship as well. It’s always amazing learning the significance behind something as we grow up. I love that about God! He gives us time and teaches us things, as we are ready!
I’m so glad to hear that you are passing this on to your daughter. I pray that we will continue to teach people what True Rest means in God and create healthy fellowship on Sundays! God has been so good to us to give us this one day of rest. He knew what we needed all along!
Sarah,
Thank you so much for this. I’m sure we all need this, some more than others. It’s funny, I did order a pizza today. This may have to become a weekly thing! LOL!
Hey girl,
I’m so glad to hear that this blessed you! I’m sure your life is busy with those three boys of yours! I’m thinking you deserve a pizza night once a week. It’s a great family bonding time. It gives you more time to just enjoy those fine boys of yours! Keep up the great work!
So I did it!!! I rested today 🙂 and I felt great. I am excited for the week and I feel like I have a great foundation that has been laid for my week also. Pastor preached out of Duet. chapter 8 (Don’t forget about God) I came home and dove into God’s word…wrote some things down, took a nap, had lunch, and by the time Choir came I wasn’t tired, I was refreshed and energetic. I’m getting to bed early tonight and am excited to see what God has for me this week. I’m going to enjoy my new Sunday routine. Thanks Sarah 🙂
Hey Girl,
I’m so proud of you! You did it! You took the day off! I knew you could. I’m so glad to hear that God has restored you and got you ready for your week. I know it will make all the difference in the world. You will be ready to pour out because you have taken time to get refreshed, restored, and recharged. How fitting that your pastor preached on not forgetting God! Sounds like God was just lining up the details for you! Go enjoy your week with new exuberance and joy!