10He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:10 – 11)
Today we turn our attention to the Discipline of Sabbath. As we consider this Discipline, our focus is not on a particular day of worship. Instead, we are considering the practice of ceasing from day-to-day activities to rest. Adherence to this practice is wholly consistent with our theme of God’s Glory because we foster greater dependence on God and deeper reflection on who He is. In the passage above, the Hebrew word for “still” has the connotation of weakness, release, or in more popular parlance, “chilling out”. These words all point to a posture of dependency. This is very counter-cultural but God knows us the best and we should trust His prescription. It will work for our good and for His glory.
Please prayerfully read the passage above and answer the question below.
Question:
Do you consistently take a break from day-to-day activities as a sign of your dependence on God?
April 12, 2019 at 11:56 am
Although I want to, and tell myself I’m going to, I hardly ever do. I always have so much to do, that I feel like if I don’t do it “today “, I’ll have too much more tomorrow.
This question is a reminder that I should act in obedience to God, and take a day of rest. I will be forced to realize that whatever I didn’t do on the Sabbath will still be there for God to help me with when I go back to do it another day of the week.
Please pray for me on this.
April 12, 2019 at 1:07 pm
Joseth. Jesus went off for 40 days at a time. Maybe you should begin with 40 mins and see how that goes. A priest once told me that if the whole residence was too busy or noisy then lock myself in the bathroom at night and just pray for a few mins. A weekly bible study gives me a short but lovingly intense recharge that a stated day of Sabbath might not. It’s what we choose I have learnt, even a quiet church midweek alone for a few minutes.
April 12, 2019 at 2:48 pm
Well I have been trying for the last few years and for the last few months even more so.
April 12, 2019 at 7:04 pm
For me, If I can workout consistently at the gym, then I can also allocate time, and be consistent in spending time with my constant companion 24/7….and that is Christ, our Lord. Praying and studying God’s word and attending Sunday worship service is like a battery charger to me. I get low batt especially with so many responsibilities at work, and volunteer activities in the community, as well as chores at home, so my charger is actually, fellowship with my church family, praying , studying God’s word, and of course my favorite thing to do, singing praises with the church choir. I actually have two bible study groups here in Japan, one is BSF Yokohama, which you can join wherever you are in the world. When I was living in Oman I was happy I did join the BSF Muscat, Oman. This is also every Tuesday from 10 am. Same time and day for other countries. Very good, if you always move every after some years to different countries. Once you are registered at your home country, it’s easy to be a BSF member in another country if you happen to move frequently. I also have my very old group IBS or International bible study group here in Japan which is held in my church here in Yokohama every Wednesday from 10-12 noon. On Sundays, if I’m not a greeter or not helping at kids Sunday School, I attend the ladies bible study group after the first service at YIBC, my home church. Praying and worshiping the Lord, bring in His presence and joining in bible study group is a ‘way of life’ for me. My week will not be complete if I will not attend bible study class and worship service on Sundays. The time I allocate to read my Bible study assignments and pray when I find it difficult to understand draws me closer to the Lord. After attending my class or after finishing my assignment or even after praying I feel energetic, and ready again to start a new day!
I’m a survivor in Pakistan from the church terrorist bombing there in 2002, I survived from the injuries I sustained, but my church closed down for sometime. It didn’t stop me from not having to worship the Lord on Sundays. For a while I opened my house in Islamabad and held Sunday worship service for members who can attend. I will always cherish those memories of fellowship and worship time at my home many years ago. After the Korean missionaries rebuilt the church in Islamabad, my husband got posted in Budapest, Hungary after Pakistan. Again, God was gracious in helping me find a new church there with a bible study class/ fellowship group that I attended for some years. During the Budapest time, I didn’t know yet about BSF. The scars in some parts of my body and the shrapnel still embedded in my left leg, and left lung are reminders of how the Lord carried and protected me on that horrible moment in Pakistan, one Sunday morning. . I thank God for giving me new life that I forever dedicate to His service.
April 13, 2019 at 8:15 am
I mean being in his presence not bring on his presence.
Sorry again for typing error
April 13, 2019 at 12:22 pm
I try to take time away consistently but the quality and quantity needs improvement. Often my attention is divided. For me that improvement is a rested and focused mind and body. The quantity or duration of the time of rest is shorter than I would like. It’s part of a packed schedule. I have craved out a little time in an overly scheduled day instead building my schedule around the needed time of rest.