In a recent podcast from Gospel Bound, the comment was made that although God designed us for work and rest, we’ve traded those for toil and leisure. Work in the Garden of Eden was a good gift from God, but because of the Fall we now have to labor to accomplish what needs to be done.
The idea of a
Sabbath rest is another good gift. When it is first mentioned in Exodus, Moses
says, “Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord… The Lord
has given you the Sabbath” (16:23, 29). Both there and in the Ten Commandments
it is referred to as a “Sabbath to the Lord.” However, we tend to leave the
Lord out of our plans for our leisure time. We define the Sabbath more by what
we’re avoiding than by what we’re seeking. We aren’t working, so we’re supposedly
observing the Sabbath.
We do similar
things in how we think about sin. Tim Keller, in his devotion on Psalm 36:1-4
writes:
“Lord, I confess the foolishness of my thought life. Even when I am able to avoid overt thoughts of resentment, fear, and lust, my mind still does not fix itself on the most worthy and beautiful of things, and on you. God glory in my eyes, Lord, and incline my heart to yourself” (March 11).
How might it
change our lives if we were determined to seek God, not just to avoid sin? What
would be different if we were observing our Sabbaths “to the Lord” and not
simply ceasing from our normal labors? I don’t think we have to get legalistic
about what is allowed or not allowed. If our focus is on God, His Word, and His
will, then our actions will naturally follow. And if we’re filling our minds
with Christ, then sinful thoughts and actions will have no place.
I confess there
are often times when I want nothing more than to vegetate and forget about all
the challenges and anxieties of life and work. I think God understands that. If
Jesus could sleep in a boat during a storm, He certainly understands being
weary. But I know there are many times when I would be better off seeking God in
prayer and dwelling on Scripture, if I’d just make the mental effort to do so.
Isaiah was told to
proclaim, “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure
on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight… then you shall take delight in
the Lord…” (58:13-14). Those verses could just as well be reversed— “If you delight
yourself in the Lord, then you will not follow your own pursuits but will enjoy
a Sabbath rest.”
Are we willing to test that out?
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So
the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27-28).
“A Song for the Sabbath. It is good to give thanks to
the Lord, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your steadfast
love in the morning and Your faithfulness by night” (Psalm 92:1-2).
© 2021 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images are copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.
