Something Don’d on Me! “keep the Sabbath”

 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.” Exodus 20:8-11

Have you ever watched your kids fight sleep?  “No Dad…I’m NOT tired!” As the yawns cross their face and their eyelids fall heavy…but they’re NOT tired!!! They can whine and cry…they can even run and MAKE themselves not fall asleep. But a good parent will MAKE their child get rest! Even in Psalm 23, the writer uses an interesting word in the middle of that famous poem: “He MAKES me lie down in green pastures.” If I’m a sheep…I should WANT to enjoy green grass…but the Good Shepherd will MAKE me lie down there.
 
God makes it a command to rest. But it’s very easy to FIGHT this command. We justify it- “I’ve got so much to do!” We minimize it- “I’m KEEPING the commandments-I don’t murder, I don’t steal-those are the big ones!” We even disagree with it-“That was written before we had the economy we have today…I HAVE to be working to compete with the big dogs!” But I don’t think God stuttered on this command.
 
Some of you are giggling while you read this, and are wondering if Don just copied this from somewhere else and never read it! Yes…I GET the irony of me writing about this-it’s NOT a command I obey very well. There-I said it. Yes…I struggle with this. And I’ve done ALL of the things in the last paragraph! I still think God MEANS for us to rest and breathe!
 
Sabbath is meant to STRENGTHEN us in our walk with Him! And it doesn’t mean “Saturday”-from the Hebrew it actually means “rest.” The PURPOSE of Sabbath is to allow you body and your brain and your family and your land and your animals…to rest. To breathe. To commune. It REFRESHES us-so that we can HEAR Him more! When we are running on the treadmill of life all day, all the time…we rarely hear the still, small voice of our Creator. He wants us to LISTEN for Him.
 
Much has been written about businesses like Hobby Lobby, Chik-Fil-A, and Mardels closing on Sunday. All of these corporations (and others) have stated the REASON for this is to allow employees to have family time and worship time. This is a BELIEF that they have…and it shows in their BEHAVIOR. Do you BELIEVE that God wants to speak to you and strengthen you?? Then prove it-give Him space to speak in your life!
 
A traditional greeting in Israel on Friday is “Shabbat Shalom”. As the ENTIRE country begins to gear down for the Sabbath day, people are finishing tasks. But frequently, you will hear this phrase in the stores and on the street. “Shabbat” means “Sabbath”…and “Shalom” means “Peace.” What they are saying to each other is “I hope you have a peaceful rest.” I wonder how much good that would do for OUR culture to truly follow the 4th Commandment? I wonder how much good it would do for YOU? Are you resting in God? Are you overwhelmed with the choices and stresses of your life? Maybe God is speaking to you while you are reading this, and He’s saying: “Slow down. Breathe. Let Me give you rest!”
 
I pray that you are listening. And I pray that you have a Shabbat Shalom-a peaceful rest.
 
Shalom Alachiem-Peace be unto you!
Don