4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” (Exodus 16:4 – 6)
29 Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day. (Exodus 16:29 – 30)
Next week, we will experience a special time together as we have done every year, focusing on Jesus and Passion/Holy Week. We have one final Discipline to review though, the Discipline of Sabbath. As we have done with the prior 10 Disciplines, we will consider how we can practice this Discipline to minister to a world in need.
One of the reasons this Discipline is very important is because the world needs to know that God can be trusted. By practicing the Discipline of Sabbath, we demonstrate how trustworthy God is.
Our focus is not on a particular day of the week. Instead, we encourage the practice of “resting” – taking time off from work at regular intervals. By doing so, we communicate priority (God is first) and dependency (God is sufficient).
Please prayerfully read the passages above and consider the question below.
Question
What opportunities do you see for using your sabbath rest as a testimony to others of your dependency on God?
April 3, 2020 at 12:04 pm
Today’s discipline of the Sabbath brought to mind Psalm 46:10, “He says, “Be still, and know, that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Sometimes we need to stop and Be Still. Our lives can be so busy where we are always moving, that we need to remember and reflect on our dependency as well as His priority. The opportunities to Be Still and illustrate this dependency and His priority can be by practicing the 10 disciplines we’ve studied. We can Be Still by admiring His amazing Creation, in Prayer, reading our Bible and in Fasting, just to name a few. In all these, we exalt Him. Sharing a wonderful worship called “Be Still” by Travis Greene. Enjoy!
April 3, 2020 at 1:00 pm
Thanks James! I needed this reminder.
April 4, 2020 at 12:17 pm
Welcome Bridget!
April 4, 2020 at 2:51 am
Wonderful.
We need always to know that he is.
Thanks.
April 3, 2020 at 12:59 pm
I make this one harder than it should be. I could start by simply not working – logging into my work computer – on Sunday. Allow myself a time of yes that God will give me efficiency of thought and motion to accomplish my responsibilities.
April 3, 2020 at 1:50 pm
I try to make Sundays a day for “church, family, rest, and fun”. It’s how I describe it to my family. I don’t even have chores for my kids to do on Sundays like I have for the rest of the week.
There have been times when my husband meets with someone for business because Sunday was the “only day the person had available”. Even though he always schedules these meetings so he doesn’t miss church, I still don’t like them. To me, the reason why the person he’s meeting with only has Sunday available, is because they probably don’t have to go to a job that day, or they don’t go to church, not because they have decided to reserve that day for church, rest, and family. I feel like my husband should let these people know what Sundays are to his family and figure out another day and time to meet. These meetings are a source of income, so I know it’s a tough call.
I know there are children of God who will sometimes work on Sundays for a multitude of different reasons, and I don’t think God is looking down on them in disgust. I know there are exceptions. However, I think if we actually let prospective clients and/or anyone else know where we stand on Sunday or our Sabbath, I think most of them will respect it. I also think God will also reward us for obeying His command, by providing for us financially if we trust Him to do so even on the day we decide not to work for His sake.
If we are faithful in knowing that God is and will provide for us when we purposefully obey Him, some people will get the picture. It will show we don’t have to feel desperate enough to disobey His command, by chasing after every dollar.
I think treating the Sabbath as God intended, and not hesitate to let people know where we stand, would be a testimony to many of these people, and when we obey God, He does his part.
April 4, 2020 at 3:11 am
I agree.
My roommate works everyday.
Chasing the mighty dollar.
April 4, 2020 at 3:18 am
Well I never worked on a Sunday in these latter years and I think in my situation I can show that he is still providing me with food and shelter .
Of course can get confusing to people as firemen,medical people etc have to work any day.
I worked in the airlines when I was younger so had no choice.
It does not have to be Sunday.Just a day of rest.
April 4, 2020 at 5:39 am
Thank you for the beautiful song. Sabbath day is an opportunity for me to show others especially to unbelievers the reason why we live with joy and hope despite everyday life’s hurdles. I guess my next door Japanese neighbor is always wondering why on Sundays I’m up early and always going to church is my reply to her whenever she asks me where I’m going so early morning on Sundays ,especially when I’m duty as greeter or helper/ teacher at Children’s Sunday School. For ordinary Japanese it’s very difficult to understand why we have to go to church and worship God on Sundays. I’m close to my next door neighbor, a 72-year old woman living alone. I’ve invited her to my church in the past. One time we had lunch outside together and she told me that she can tell my going to church on Sundays seemed to be the source of my strength and joy. For me going to church and worshiping with my church family is an integral part of my life. Now, because of coronavirus ,my church only have on line service, but still grateful that I can attend service even while staying at home. Making Sunday a time for the Lord , makes me look forward to a new week with renewed hope and spirit that each day is a blessing and a gift from God. Honoring Sabbath day, eases my journey on earth. It lightens the burden and makes me see the beauty of each passing day.