Read: Exodus 23:10–13
Bible in a Year: Job 36–37; Acts 15:22–41
Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work. Exodus 23:12
One Sunday, I stood by the gurgling stream that wends its way
through our North London community, delighting in the beauty it brings
to our otherwise built-up area. I felt myself relax as I watched the
cascading water and listened to the birds chirping. I paused to give the
Lord thanks for how He helps us to find rest for our souls.
The Lord instituted a time of Sabbath—a time for rest and
renewal—for His people in the ancient Near East because He wanted them
to thrive. As we see in the book of Exodus, He tells them to sow their
fields for six years and rest on the seventh. So too with working six
days and resting on the seventh. His way of life set apart the
Israelites from other nations, for not only they but also the foreigners
and slaves in their households were allowed to follow this pattern.
We can approach our day of rest with
expectancy and creativity, welcoming the chance to worship and do
something that feeds our souls, which will vary according to our
preferences. Some will like to play games; some to garden; some to share
a meal with friends and family; some to take an afternoon nap.
How can we rediscover the beauty and richness of setting apart a day to rest, if that’s missing from our lives?
Lord God, in You we find our rest. Thank You that You’ve created us both to work and to rest. Please help us to find the right rhythm for our lives.
In our faith and service, rest is as important as work.
© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries
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