“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God . . . 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 (NLT)
Why is resting so hard for us to do?
It seems we always need to do, do, do and go, go, go. Even when we’re relaxing or on holiday we can’t seem to let go of the agenda.
If we’re not doing, going or achieving, we feel like failures. We see ourselves as lazy. Unproductive. Fruitless. We take pride in our busyness. We boast about how long and hard we work.
And we ignore the fourth commandment.
Do you realize that this commandment is right up there with not committing adultery and stealing?
But aren’t we more likely to admonish adultery and stealing than we are taking a day of rest? Why is that?
We justify and excuse our lack of obedience and rationalize that working seven days a week isn’t really wrong, it’s what we have to do to survive. Wasn’t this really just a suggestion, a recommended way of living?
I confess this is one of my biggest areas of weakness. I find it difficult to stop and rest. It seems there’s always something calling my name that needs to be done.
But as I reflect on this passage, I can’t help but see this resting command as a gift from my Heavenly Father who knows what I need better than I know myself. I just need to receive it and use it!
Sabbath rest isn’t a suggestion or a good idea, it’s a command from our Heavenly Father who loves us deeply. Will we hear and obey?
Heavenly Father, I confess my lack of obedience and rationalization with this command to rest. I’m sorry for excusing my disobedience and justifying myself because I keep the other commandments. I want to walk in ALL Your ways not just some of them. Amen.
Take Action
Remind someone you love to take some time to rest this week. Remember, it's not just a good idea, it's a commandment.