TO REACH MERCY IS TO OBTAIN CONTENT IS TO ENJOY GOD’S GIFT OF REST
Our focus today is one of those values that many Christians may have lost sight of – rest! Resting is as Christian as any other value taught in the Bible. Jesus extends his invitation to all: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
The rest promised by Jesus was not a new concept! Rest was God’s idea in the beginning, and I’ve always thought it was a very good idea! The FACT of the matter is: God commanded rest – Exodus 20:8-11. . .
In a previous session, we discussed the idea that godliness (a godly life) arises from “an attitude of devotion to God that results in (is reflected in) actions (words and deeds) that are right in the sight of God.” (Of course, what is right in God’s eyes is based on the interpretation and application of God’s Word as recorded in the Bible.)
Significant is the first word of this passage of Scripture: “Remember” – which, in the original Hebrew, meant “remember” or “think of” – is not simply a mental exercise but also an INTENTION to put one’s own ideas into practice. thoughts.
With a built-in attitude of devotion to God, which has been cultivated over time, a pious person quite naturally thinks of or comes to mind the concept of “Saturday”, not the “seventh day”, as some people might have understood. wrong. word to mean but – a day of (time of, season of, period of) “rest” (shabbat).
The “Sabbath” – a state of rest – was instituted in creation by the Creator Himself, when God rested (ceased activity, took time to meditate, contemplate) on the seventh day after his six days of work (creative activity).
The Jews have always observed and continue to observe a Sabbath day on the seventh day (Saturday) as the Old Testament is still their only source of authority. And although Christians observe a different Sabbath, we take the concept as seriously as our ancestors did.
The seriousness and rigor that the Jews attributed to the observance of a day of rest is based on the seriousness that God assigned in prescribing the death penalty as punishment for not keeping the Sabbath (day of rest) holy – Exodus 31:12- 14. . .
The practical effect of remembering the Sabbath is to keep the day of rest “holy” – “sanctified” – “set apart” for the Lord since the Lord God is a holy God with high expectations for His people. Yes, God is tolerant, loving, kind, gentle, merciful with his people, but he demands compliance with his mandates and clearly establishes the consequences of disobedience.
Those who deliberately deny and defy the Lord their God risk the consequences of not taking him seriously. . . for having to face the wrath of God, either in the here and now, in the hereafter, or both. Nevertheless:
God in His love and mercy has provided a Way by which we can be saved from His wrath against sin. Paul told us in his letter to the Romans to remember that we have been justified (justified before God) by the blood of Christ which manifests (effectively atones for the sins of) all who believe (all who accept) the grace of God .
However, he goes on to warn Christians that we should not take God’s grace as an opportunity (as our opportunity) to prove it. . . . disobey him. . . sin against him.
Rather, we must accept the obligations of that special relationship we have with Him through His Son (the Messiah) and our Savior Jesus Christ!
The early Christians, most of whom were Jews, took those obligations seriously, though ultimately not legalistically, with some variation as to the “how” but not the “what.” It could be said that The First Fellowship of Believers in Christ remained rigid in principle but became flexible in practice.
Many of them kept the seventh day as Saturday, but since the resurrection of their Lord was the most blessed day in their lives, they began very early in their practice of the Christian faith to meet together on the first day of the week, and designated Sunday as the Lord’s Day.
As time went on, the inevitable divide between Jews and Christians widened, so that gradually most Christians, worldwide, came together to worship only on the Lord’s Day, as they discontinued Sabbath observance. on the seventh day. Friends:
Since God ordained a Sabbath and Jesus observed a Sabbath, surely we, as children of God, betrothed to the Son of God, feel not guilt but gratitude for God our Father’s command to observe a Sabbath, and through Christ our Lord’s invitation to “come with me alone to a quiet place and rest a little”!
“It’s tempting to do everything everyone else is doing, to get involved in everything and be everywhere, but it’s not God’s best for you. Be willing to separate yourself from obsessive compulsive activity before it falls apart! Spend some quiet time with God and ask him to put your day in order” (JM).
A butterfly, when we chase it, seems to be always out of reach, but if we sit down in a quiet place, and stay still, it may perch on you.
To stop filling our minds and lives with the noise and strife of the world, and to focus on higher and nobler things of eternal value, is to gain satisfaction that allows us to enjoy God’s gift of rest!
A PRAYER FOR REST
Dear father:
This world seems to move faster and faster,
And I’m trying to keep up.
But God, in that whirlwind, I got caught.
Like an invincible force that draws me in,
But I know that eventually their ways cannot win.
So I must learn to rest in Your perfect peace,
And even if your intention is good,
Let all extraneous efforts cease.
Oh, if my feet could imitate your step,
So that your joy could rest on my face.
>Help me, Jesus, to slow down whenever You want.
Help me, Lord d, to rest as I must.
Thank you for loving me as I am.
Thank you because resting is part of your plan. Amen.